Irish Hotels Federation

Lobbying Organisation Irish Hotels Federation

Date published 21 May, 2020

Relevant Matter Public policy or programme

Public Policy Area Tourism

Period 1 Jan, 2020 to 30 Apr, 2020

Specific Details Seeking pro-tourism measures, in the context of the General Election, to support long-term growth of Ireland's tourism industry

Intended results Seeking measures to tackle the high cost of doing business, including excessive insurance costs Seeking a restoration of the 9% tourism VAT to help maintain competitiveness Seeking additional supports for regional tourism Seeking increased funding for tourism marketing, development and infrastructure Seeking increased investment in people, skills and training – including apprenticeships Avoid Unworkable Regulation - it should remain voluntary for hotels and guesthouses to display Calories on Menus given the prohibitive costs involved

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Tim Fenn (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? Members of the IHF were asked to lobby TDs and candidates seeking pro-tourism measures, in the context of the General Election, to support long-term growth of Ireland's tourism industry. Members were asked to write to, email and phone TDs outlining the challenges facing businesses and the supports required.

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Mass communications

Letter All TDs Letters outlining the requirement for pro-tourism measures, in the context of the General Election, to support long-term growth of Ireland's tourism industry.

Email All TDs Emails outlining the requirement for pro-tourism measures, in the context of the General Election, to support long-term growth of Ireland's tourism industry.

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Letter (2-5)

Letters outlining the requirement for pro-tourism measures, in the context of the General Election, to support long-term growth of Ireland's tourism industry.

Email (2-5)

Emails outlining the requirement for pro-tourism measures, in the context of the General Election, to support long-term growth of Ireland's tourism industry.

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)

Dara Calleary TD (Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas)