Restaurants Association of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Restaurants Association of Ireland

Date published 09 Jan, 2017

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Tourism

Period 1 Sep, 2016 to 31 Dec, 2016

Specific Details Briefing for members of the Oireachtas on RAI Pre Budget Submission 2017 and presenting the issues of importance to the restaurant, hospitality and tourism industry to the members

Intended results Highlight the issues of importance to the restaurant, hospitality and tourism industry, most notably the importance of retaining the VAT at 9% , the skills shortage facing the restaurant industry and for policy measures on work permits to be changed. To create a National Hospitality Training agency. For the excise on alcohol to be reduced by 15%. To mitigate the negative effects of Brexit on Irish Tourism To address the high cost of doing business in Ireland across a range of areas. A freeze on the minimum wage until 2021 Investment in rural ireland with particular focus on midlands and development of the Lakelands brand. Lifting the ban on alcohol sales in restaurants on good friday

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive

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? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Letter All Oireachtas Members Letters of invitation sent to all members of the Oireachtas to attend the briefing session.

Email All Oireachtas Members An e-mail reminder of the RAI Oireachtas briefing was sent to all members two days prior to the event.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (1)

Letters sent to all members of the Oireachtas who did not attend the briefing day including our policy document calling for measures to support the restaurant and tourism sector.

Designated public officials lobbied

There were no DPOs directly lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area.