Clare Hotelier Urges Government To Address "Off The Richter Scale" Cost Of Doing Business

A Clare hotelier believes the Government needs to pay serious attention to the cost of doing business in Ireland which he claims is "off the Richter scale". Representatives from the Licensed Vintners Association and the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation have met with TDs and senators to discuss what they'd like to see in Budget 2025. Their main rallying call is for a return to the 9% VAT rates introduced during the pandemic as they claim many in the industry are struggling to cope with the current 13.5% rate. Co-owner of Hotel Woodstock in Ennis and Clare Tourism Advisory Forum Chair Sean Lally insists current rates are punishing both businesses and customers.