9% VAT rate has been great for Wexford tourism

Fionntán O' Súilleabháin has said that he will be campaigning for the retention of the 9% VAT rate for food and tourism services ahead of the next budget.  The spokesperson for local Sinn Féin said that the measure had created 9,000 new jobs since being implemented and was clearly boosting the tourism sector in the south east.

Mr O' Súilleabháin said;

"The dropping of the VAT rate for food and tourism services from 13.5% to 9% has hugely boosted the fortunes for local businesses across this district.  North Wexford tourism has been lifted and we are seeing more far more people eating out this year as prices have dropped due to the lower VAT rate."

"There has been a great knock on effect for other businesses as well and many local people have gained employment as a direct result of the new rate.  Look at the huge success of the recent Gorey Market-house festival.  This success needs to be protected and allowed to develop further."

"The very welcome annual influx of visitors to North Wexford, especially the many who come from Dublin, proves the mass economic value that tourism and related services offer the area.  We should be trying to expand this.  Theres room for another hotel in the Courtown area.  To quote Courtown writer and historian Anna Kinsella, who launched a DVD on the area during the summer , 'build it and they will come'.  Sinn Féin will be fully supporting the call for the retention of the 9% VAT rate in budget 2014 so that such plans can be made a reality in our area."