Local restaurant owners and publicans called for more support from the government at a protest in Dublin today. The rally was organised by the Restaurant’s Association of Ireland and the Vitners Federation of Ireland. Among the demands raised outside the Dáil today were the reduction of the VAT rate to 9% for the hospitality sector, as well as more supports for small businesses to face the increasing cost of living.
Over a thousand people attended the protest, including business owners from across the region. Daniel Knight, who is the Head chef at Buffalo Boy in Carrick-on-Shannon, explained that the current situation is putting off aspiring chefs from progressing in the industry: