Ireland’s tourism industry said it can deliver growth of 65% if the incoming government restores the 9% Vat rate.

Spend by tourists fell by more than 4% in the first three months of the year despite visitors rising by 5.5%, CSO figures have revealed - as industry bosses admitted growth is not being felt evenly across the country.

Tourism Ireland has welcomed the growth of 6% in overseas visitors to Ireland in the first quarter of the year.

Growth in 2019 could be half of official estimates as the effects of the recent VAT hike and the possibility of a hard Brexit may cost Irish tourism close to €1 billion.

Tourism has the potential to create 80,000 new jobs in the next six years but a "worrying drift" in Government focus threatens the growth, an industry organisation has claimed.

This week’s show features our usual small business round-up and includes a special feature on debt forgiveness for SMEs. Kahlen also explores the glass ceiling with Marion Palmer from Women in Technology and Science (WITS. The Incoming Tour Operators Association also predict another positive year for tourism and John Trethowan from the Credit Review Office talks about banks, small business credit and getting the right information to SMEs.