Clare Fine Gael Senator At Odds With Minister Over Hospitality VAT Rate

Clare FM

Clare's Fine Gael senator says he makes "no apologies" for disagreeing with his party colleague Minister Paschal Donohoe on the hospitality VAT rate. Various organisations representing businesses in the hospitality industry have long called for their VAT to be returned to the lower rate 9% which was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe says however the higher VAT rate of 13.5% will remain in place beyond the budget in October as he claims the lower rate was only ever meant to be a tmeporary measure. Ennistymon Fine Gael Senator Martin Conway insists the lower rate is needed especially along Clare's coast where businesses are under particular pressure.