Business leaders want VAT rate restored to 9%

RENEWED calls from the hospitality industry for the existing VAT rate of 13.5%  to be restored to 9% in the forthcoming Budget have been made. 

The Cork Business Association in alliance with representatives of the hospitality, services and tourism sectors held separate meetings in recent days with Michael McGrath, Fianna Fail spokesperson on finance, and later with An Tánaiste, Simon Coveney.

In attendance were Lawrence Owens, chief executive CBA, Philip Gillivan, CBA president and owner of The Shelbourne Bar, Aaron Mansworth, managing director of the Trigon Hotel Group, Mike Ryan owner of the Cornstore & Coqbull restaurants and representing the RAI, Sean McCarthy publican & restauranteur and treasurer of the CVF, Neil Grant, general manager of The Celtic Ross Hotel and representing as branch chairman of the IHF, Kathleen Healy, Darcy’s Hair Salon representing the services sector, Claire Nash, owner of Nash 19, Michael Magner, owner of the Vienna Woods Hotel.

The meeting focused on measures that they feel need to be enacted to stop the erosion of the sector’s competitiveness, viability and the long-term sustainability of Ireland’s largest indigenous industry and biggest regional employer.

The consensus was that the VAT rate restoration would be an essential measure.