Eoghan O'Mara Walsh: Consumers will pay the price if Vat increases

Hopes of difficulties being in the rear-view mirror have quickly evaporated. Global economic headwinds, inflation, and the energy crisis have all meant that there is now considerable unease about the outlook for 2023

2022 ended up being much better-than- anticipated year in the tourism industry and it is estimated that 7m international tourists came to Ireland.

Imagine holding the levers of power at a time of significant inflationary pressures and deciding to heap an extra 4% onto the price of accommodation and food services?

Let’s say that everything from your lunch in a local cafe to your wedding banquet, from your well-deserved stay in a hotel, to your Easter visit to a family attraction, would be 4% more expensive from March 1 onwards.