The Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) has launched its 10-point manifesto for the hospitality sector in advance of an imminent general election.
The association, which had called for a reduced VAT rate from Budget 25, is now looking for a fix to what it describes as the “broken financial model” facing Ireland’s hospitality industry.
With a general election almost certain to take place next month, the RAI has called on all political parties to adopt policies that will secure the survival and growth of Ireland’s independent restaurants, cafés and pubs.
The manifesto launch follows a rally held last Tuesday outside Leinster House where 1,800 hospitality workers and small business owners gathered to highlight the sector’s deepening financial struggles.
At the rally, Adrian Cummins, CEO of the RAI, outlined how Ireland’s SMEs will be “keeping a close eye on each election manifesto” and will “make their voices heard at the ballot box” depending on how SMEs are prioritised by each party.
Among the …