President’s Report – September 2026

Dear Members,

Welcome to your September newsletter.

As we come to the end of the summer period, it is fair to say that trading has not been as strong or as busy as many of us would have hoped. But we now look ahead to the autumn period with renewed focus as we continue to work on behalf of members.

Budget 2027 will be a key focus in the weeks ahead, with Budget Day taking place on the 6^th of October. We will continue meeting with Oireachtas members and engaging with Government to make the case for measures that support our businesses and address the cost pressures facing the hospitality sector.

Last week, the Restaurant Association of Ireland were in Westminster, appearing before the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee as part of its inquiry into taxation in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

The Committee was particularly interested in the impact of the 9% VAT rate in the Republic of Ireland and the benefits it has delivered for restaurants and food businesses since its permanent reinstatement.

We had the opportunity to set out the experience of businesses in the Republic of Ireland, including how the reduced rate has provided much-needed breathing room at a time of continued cost and margin pressures. We also outlined the potential benefits that a reduced rate could deliver for hospitality businesses in Northern Ireland, where the VAT rate remains at 20%.

The appearance also provided an important opportunity to demonstrate that many of the challenges facing hospitality businesses are shared across the island. Competitiveness is particularly important when Ireland is promoted internationally as an all-island tourism destination.

We will continue to make the case for the sector through the Budget process and throughout the autumn, ensuring that the concerns and priorities of our members are heard where decisions affecting our businesses are being made.

Yours sincerely,
Seán Collender
President