Irish Hotels Federation

Lobbying Organisation Irish Hotels Federation

Date published 21 May, 2025

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Tourism

Period 1 Jan, 2025 to 30 Apr, 2025

Specific Details Seeking Government measures to support the long-term development of Ireland's tourism and hospitality industry

Intended results Action to offset escalating operating costs for hospitality businesses A reduction in the rate of VAT for hospitality food services Additional supports for employees on off-the-job training schemes Measures to tackle the cost of insurance for tourism and hospitality business Increased investment in Tourism Marketing & Development Additional funding for hospitality for training and skills development within the hospitality sector Enhanced air access including lifting of Dublin Airport passenger cap and additional support for regional air access Targeted environmental sustainability supports for the hotels sector Measures to reduce employers' PRSI burden for labour intensive sectors including hospitality businesses

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Paul Gallagher (Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation)

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members Email with media statement seeking a reduction in the VAT rate for food-related services within the hospitality and tourism industry

Email All Oireachtas Members Email with media statement seeking a reduction, as part of Budget 2026, in the VAT rate for hospitality food-related services

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Seeking a public, transparent and rigorous review of the Judicial Council’s recommendations for an increase in levels of personal injury awards.

Event / Reception (1)

Seeking measures at a national and EU-level to support the development of a resilient and competitive tourism sector.

Social Media (6-10)

Seeking a reduction in the VAT rate for food-related services within the hospitality and tourism industry

Letter (6-10)

Seeking a reduction in the VAT rate for food-related services and employers' PRSI within the hospitality industry.

Meeting (1)

Seeking measures to support hospitality businesses, including a reduction in the VAT rate for food-related services, a reduction in employers' PRSI, increased air access and lifting of the cap on passenger numbers at Dublin Airport, increased sustainability funding for hotels and additional resources to support training and skills development.

Letter (1)

Seeking measures to mitigate the impact of high levels of price increases in beef and dairy prices.

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Foreign Affairs)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Peter Burke Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Jim O'Callaghan Minister (Department of Justice)

Robert Troy Minister of State (Department of Finance)

Cian Ó Lionáin Assistant Secretary (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media)

Sean Kelly MEP (European Parliament)

Billy Kelleher MEP (European Parliament)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Martin Heydon Minister (Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine)