I am happy to speak on the critical importance of the tourism and hospitality sector, particularly as we face mounting challenges that threaten thousands of jobs and the viability of businesses right across rural Ireland. In my own constituency of Offaly, tourism supports 2,200 jobs, so I stand firmly with Offaly hoteliers and the Irish Hotels Federation in their call for targeted Government intervention to protect this vital industry. As I stated earlier this year, we must deliver measures to safeguard the long-term sustainability of our local tourism economy. The sector is under severe pressure. Recent Central Statistics Office, CSO, labour force survey figures reveal a stark reality. Employment in food-led hospitality has plummeted by nearly 20,000 jobs over the past year, falling from 136,000 to 116,000. This represents a 14.7% decline. Wider hospitality employment has also dropped significantly, with businesses grappling with unsustainable cost increases, high insurance premiums, energy charges that are among the highest in Europe and growing consumer price sensitivity. I welcome the Government's decision to reintroduce the 9% VAT rate for food and catering services. This was certainly positive and necessary. However, a single measure alone will not be enough. The rising costs of doing business, from insurance and energy to regulatory burdens, continue to squeeze businesses. At the same time, increases in the cost of living are reducing disposal income for Irish consumers, making Ireland less competitive for international visitors.

Sentiment score: 0.15