Tourism body fights to keep reduced Vat rate

The country’s main tourism industry group has warned any UK recession sparked by the Brexit vote will inevitably directly hit Ireland as it urged the Government to make the reduced Vat rate tax an untouchable part of the tax code here.

In its pre-budget submission, the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation said the drop in the value of sterling against the euro since the June 23 vote makes the UK “a better value” destination for overseas’ tourists at the cost of Ireland.

It wants the Government to keep in mind the importance of the industry and the almost 227,850 people the industry employs ahead of October’s budget.