Limerick council to seek Government approval on tourist tax ahead of Ryder Cup

Limerick council is set to lobby the Government about a possible tax on tourists visiting the city, which would be “timely” ahead of the Ryder Cup.

Limerick council is set to lobby the Government about a possible tax on tourists visiting the city, which would be “timely” ahead of the Ryder Cup.

While Ireland does not currently impose a tourist tax, there have been debates regarding the introduction of an overnight levy in cities across the country.

A motion by Labour councillor Joe Leddin was passed at this month’s metropolitan meeting, calling on the Government to allow Limerick to introduce the tax.

Councillors are due to send a letter to both housing minister James Browne and the minister for tourism and sport Patrick O’Donovan.

Legislation yet to be enacted 

This comes as the Government backed plans earlier this year to give local authorities the power to introduce a visitor levy, although legislation has yet to be enacted.

Mr Leddin told the Irish Examiner that the introduction of legislation to introduce the tax would give “greater autonomy” to local councils.

“We’re always asking for more powers to be given down to local government and for councillors to have more powers, particularly in the area of raising revenue so that we're not constantly coming back to Government looking for money. 

“So, one would assume Government would look on this request favourably,” Mr Leddin said.

As a number of cultural and sporting events take place in Limerick city, Mr Leddin said there is a “constant need” for councillors to support initiatives branding Limerick “as a destination”.

Funds could be invested into hospitality and tourism

“It’s no different than any other modern European or international city, if you stay in a hotel or a short-term rental, the chances are you're going to pay a local tourism tax, whether it's a couple of euro per night or whether it's a percentage of your overall cost of accommodation. 

“Assuming we get the autonomy, [the idea] is that we could ringfence monies collected and keep it specifically to develop the whole hospitality and tourism sector,” he explained.

“We have one of the biggest sporting tournaments coming to our doorstep in 12 months' time with the Ryder Cup, when we're going to have possibly 60,000 people per day over four days coming into the city. 

“Every hotel for miles is booked out, there is an opportunity here for the council to generate revenue, not just with the Ryder Cup, but any other significant event that might be coming,” Mr Leddin said. 

The tax, he said, would be beneficial regarding other events, such as the summer gigs held in Thomond Park.

Following a number of high-profile acts playing in the venue over the summer, the Mid-West region’s economy was set for a €60m injection.

“We're competing with every other city, not just in Ireland, but in Europe, if not internationally, and we must give people a reason to come to Limerick.

“As far as I'm concerned, the establishment of a tourism tax and a dedicated fund that could run into the hundreds of thousands would be additional monies that we could now invest back in to developing what is a very growing and vibrant creative arts sector in the city,” he said.