Siptu call to raise tourism Vat rate under fire

Hotels and restaurants have slammed a suggestion by Siptu that the Government should scrap the 9% Vat rate for the sector as "reckless" and "irresponsible".

The union has claimed that the financial benefit of the reduced Vat rate for the sector has not been passed on to either employees or the exchequer.

Siptu also said employers in the hospitality sector had refused to participate in talks for the creation of a new joint labour committee (JLC) to set fair pay rates and conditions for employees.