A Sligo restaurateur says the recent budget provides ample evidence that the current government are not interested in supporting one of the North West’s most important industries.
Anthony Gray made the comments after the government ended the special 9 per cent VAT rate that benefited hospitality sector.
Many working in the sector had hoped for more supports in last week’s budget however with tourism receiving just one mention during the two ministers’ budget speeches, those hopes failed to materialise.
Various groups representing the sector have accused the government of not caring about an industry that has to deal with reduced footfall as result of fewer hotels being available to cater for tourists.
The former President of the Restaurant’s Association of Ireland says the government has basically turned its back on the sector at a time when it needed support.
