Irish Hotels Federation

Lobbying Organisation Irish Hotels Federation

Date published 21 Jan, 2026

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Tourism

Period 1 Sep, 2025 to 31 Dec, 2025

Specific Details Seeking Government measures to support the continued recovery of Ireland's tourism and hospitality industry

Intended results Restoration of the 9% rate of VAT for hospitality food services Measures to improve cost competitiveness and avoid any further cost increases For a review to be carried out of options for assisting hotels to develop employer-led staff accommodation across the sector Targeted funding for a national hotel retrofitting scheme to reduce carbon footprint Increased investment and support for tourism marketing both domestically and overseas. Oppotunities for hotels to assist with addressing the acute shortage of housing for hotel workers Increased investment in training and skills development within the sector Robust enforcement of regulations around short term lettings Increased air access including removal of cap at Dublin airport Insurance reform and policy to avoid any additional increases in insurance costs

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Paul Gallagher (Chief Executive of the Irish Hotels Federation)

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? Yes

What is the directive you gave to the grassroots campaigners? Asking member hotels and guesthouses to contact local TDs and Senators seeking policy measures to support the growth and development of Irish tourism and hospitality

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Email All Oireachtas Members Emails highlighting key policy proposals for Budget 2026, including restoration of 9% VAT for hospitality food services

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (6-10)

Seeking tourism supports in Budget 2026, including restoration of 9% VAT for hospitality food services

Social Media (2-5)

Seeking tourism supports in Budget 2026, including restoration of 9% VAT for hospitality food services

Meeting (2-5)

Seeking tourism supports in Budget 2026, including restoration of 9% VAT for hospitality food services

Letter (1)

Seeking pro-tourism measures in relation to cost competitiveness, funding for training and sustainability

Submission (2-5)

Seeking to discuss oppotunities for hotels to assist with addressing the acute shortage of housing for hotel workers through employer-led provision of accommodation

Email (2-5)

Seeking to discuss oppotunities for hotels to assist with addressing the acute shortage of housing for hotel workers through employer-led provision of accommodation

Letter (2-5)

Seeking an expansion of industry-led training supports for the hotels sector under the National Training Fund (NTF), and that funds under the NTF not be diverted (NTF) into university capital spending as part of Budget 2026.

Letter (2-5)

Seeking removal of the proposed increase in VAT on non-accommodation-related hotel room hire

Meeting (1)

Seeking policy measures to support SME competitiveness, sustainability and fair digital markets for hospitality businesses

Meeting (1)

Seeking policy measures to support fair digital markets for hospitality businesses

Social Media (2-5)

Seeking pro-tourism supports for hospitality businesses

Meeting (1)

Seeking oppotunities for hotels to assist with addressing the acute shortage of housing for hotel workers

Letter (2-5)

Seeking pro-tourism measures for hospitality businesses

Meeting (2-5)

Seeking pro-tourism measures for hospitality businesses

Letter (1)

Seeking policy measures to support increased supply of tourism accommodation

Informal communication (2-5)

Seeking pro-tourism measures for hospitality businesses

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Paschal Donohoe Minister (Department of Finance)

Jack Chambers Minister (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)

Mary Fitzpatrick Senator (Seanad)

Simon Harris Tánaiste and Minister (Department of Defence)

Simon Harris Minister (Department of Finance)

Peter Burke Minister (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Micheál Martin Taoiseach (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Neale Richmond Minister of State (Department of Finance)

Frank Feighan Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform)

Jerry Buttimer Minister of State (Department of Rural and Community Development)

James O'Connor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Brian Brennan TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

John Clendennen TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Rose Conway-Walsh TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Paul Nicholas Gogarty TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Tony McCormack TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Linda Nelson Murray Senator (Seanad)

George Lawlor TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)

Barry Cowen MEP (European Parliament)

Cynthia Ní Mhurchú MEP (European Parliament)

Declan Hughes Secretary General (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Brian Keegan Special Advisor (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment)

Kieran O'Donnell Minister of State (Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage)

Marian Harkin Minister of State (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

James Lawless Minister (Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science)

Patrick O'Donovan Minister of State (Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform)