PD senator demands privatisation of Great Southern hotels

Progressive Democrats Senator Tom Morrissey has demanded that the Great Southern hotel chain be sold off to the private sector.

The hotels, which have been making a loss for a number of years, are currently owned by the Dublin Airport Authority.

Tourism Minister John O'Donoghue has insisted that the chain will not be sold under his watch and should remain in public ownership.

However, Mr Morrissey said today that he believed the State should not be involved in running hotels.

"It's the same situation as with Aer Lingus," he said. "Government should not be involved in these competitive industries."