President’s Report – November 2024

As I write this, I’m filled with both pride and a bittersweet sentiment, knowing that this will be my last President’s Report for the Restaurants Association of Ireland and tomorrow I will hand over the reins to the very capable hands of Seán Collender of Kinara restaurants. Reflecting on my tenure as President, I’m grateful for the support of each member and the tireless commitment of the RAI team in advancing the interests of our vibrant hospitality industry, even in the face of the many profound challenges we have and currently face.

When I succeeded Mark McGowan over two and a half years ago, as an industry, we were emerging from COVID with cautious optimism. Yet, as we all know, the challenges only intensified. The war in Ukraine soon fueled unprecedented cost increases in energy, food, wages and more. Our industry, barely recovered, felt the weight. Then, last September, the Government delivered a devastating blow by raising the VAT rate by 50% from 9% to 13.5% for our sector. Many of us feared but did not truly understand the resulting closures, job losses and widespread hardship in our communities this would result in.

Over the past year, we’ve lobbied tirelessly to reverse this decision, meeting with Ministers, civil servants and stakeholders at every level. Disappointingly, Budget 2025 overlooked hospitality altogether. To not even receive a mention during Minister Chambers’s speech was a disheartening signal of how far we have yet to go in securing proper Government recognition for our sector’s essential role in the Irish economy.

Looking forward, our work continues through the RAI’s recently launched 10-Point Manifesto. This lays out a roadmap to fix the broken financial model facing hospitality, calling for measures like splitting the VAT rate on food and accommodation, restoring the 9% rate on food and appointing a dedicated Minister for Tourism and Hospitality. It’s time to close the gap between tourism and hospitality policy. With over a third of tourist spending going to our restaurants, pubs and cafés, it’s essential that Fáilte Ireland officially integrates hospitality into its mission. The disconnect must end.

Beyond advocacy, my role as President also allowed me to represent the RAI on a European stage through HOTREC, to celebrate the incredible talent in our industry at the Irish Restaurant Awards and to travel across Ireland, seeing first-hand the dedication that defines our sector. Through the highs and lows, meeting and collaborating with you – our members – has been one of the great privileges of my life. Now, I pass the torch to our incoming President, Seán, who I know will lead with the same passion and dedication.

Thank you, once again, for the honour of serving as your President. I look forward to remaining connected with this incredible Association as we continue the work to ensure a prosperous future for Irish hospitality.