Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for bringing forward the amendment. On Friday last, I was at president’s night in a rugby club and the president of the club brought up the fact that the club would have gone under only for the fact of these supports that were put in place, and he also spoke about the fact the Minister was going to bring forward this amendment on the 9% rate. It is an opportune time to compliment not only the Minister but his officials and the Department for the support that was put in place for the hospitality industry. I happened to be at the launch of a degree programme involving a collaboration between the vintners and Griffith College yesterday evening, and I met many young apprentices who were going onto this programme. I spoke with some publicans who also acknowledged the benefit of the supports which, as the Minister noted, will be coming to an end.

I believe the 9% VAT rate will certainly help businesses to keep afloat. From speaking to business people, they are not yet back to 100%. I believe it is an opportune time and the fact it is being extended until the end of the year is most welcome. It was acknowledged not only by the publicans but also by the sports clubs that pubs and sports clubs would have gone under only for the supports. I thank the Minister. I look forward to supporting the amendments he is bringing forward today. If we think about the industry anywhere from Temple Bar in Dublin to the west coast and throughout the country, there is hospitality and bars, clubs and hotels in every village, small town and city. I believe the industry is very grateful for the supports. I think it is the right time to extend the 9% VAT rate because it will help them to get back to the 100%, given some are still not open seven days due to difficulties with staffing and different issues, although they are getting there. I believe it is the right time. I compliment the Minister and the Department.