Restaurateurs start nine days of action on VAT
Noel Kennedy took up the platter for the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) campaign Keep VAT at 9% this morning when he delivered food to the office of Robert Troy, TD.
Noel, proprietor of Oscar’s Restaurant in Mullingar, is one of the restaurant owners across the country who are lobbying politicians to keep the VAT rate on food and tourism services at 9%.
The industry says that since the VAT cut in July 2011, employment in the sector has increased by some 9,000 and recent growth is expected to continue. An additional 5,000 jobs will be created over the next 12 months if VAT at 9% remains in effect, according to the RAI.
Adrian Cummins, the CEO of the RAI, said: “Visitor numbers released in August 2013 point to a positive future for our sector. We are confident that with the retention of VAT at 9%, our sector will continue to grow and create jobs. VAT at 9% is working and these nine days of action is about sending a clear message to politicians and consumers that it’s working – therefore keep it in place.”
An awareness event outside the Dept of Finance is planned for Thursday morning and the final day of the ‘9 days of action’ will include a briefing session with TDs and senators on the day the Dáil resumes after the summer recess.
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