NEWS
RAI welcomes 9% VAT Rate extension until March 2023
The Restaurants Association of Ireland welcomes the decision taken today (Tuesday 10th May 2022) by Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe to extend the 9% VAT Rate for Tourism and...
Media Coverage May 2022
President’s Report May 2022
Welcome to my President's Report for May, Hello everyone, my name is Paul Lenehan and I’m honoured to have been installed as the 25th president the Restaurants Association of...
Restaurants Association of Ireland attended the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media
President of the Restaurants Association of Ireland Mark McGowan and CEO Adrian Cummins attended the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sport and Media to discuss Working...
Restaurants Association of Ireland announces Paul Lenehan of Kildare as New President
25th President of Restaurants Association of Ireland promises to “steer industry back to normality” with costs of doing business, skills shortage and 9% VAT rate priorities The...
President’s Report April 2022
Welcome to my President's Report for April 2022, This will be my 36th and final newsletter as my extended term as President comes to an end. I would like to take this opportunity...
Media Coverage April 2022
We’re Hiring: Job Position – National Culinary Chef Apprenticeship Programme Business Development Executive
On behalf of the Chef De Partie & Sous Chef Apprenticeship Programme Consortium Steering Group (CSG) the Restaurants Association of Ireland (RAI) is recruiting a Business...
Ukraine – The Restaurants Association of Ireland has joined the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Corporate Support
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has joined the Irish Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Corporate Support. The Irish Red Cross is working to provide relief efforts in Ukraine and...
Media Coverage – March 2022
President’s Report March 2022
Welcome to my Presidents Report for March 2022. As our focus shifts entirely to the people of Ukraine and the devastation that has been inflicted by Vladimir Putin and his...
President’s Report February 2022
Welcome to my Presidents report for February 2022. I am delighted to be writing in a somewhat un-restricted trading environment. It has been a long road and our newfound freedom...
Media Coverage – February 2022
RAI Statement – Lifting of restrictions on Hospitality
Hospitality breathes a Sigh of Relief! Businesses relieved by lifting of restrictions and excited to trade once again The Restaurants Association of Ireland CEO Adrian Cummins...
Media Coverage – January 2022
President’s Report January 2022
Welcome to your January newsletter, I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year. It is not hard to beat previous Januarys when I think of this time...
RAI Statement – Restrictions Announced by Government
Hospitality Sector Devastated and Fearful for Future with announcement of further restrictions 60% of hospitality staff will be laid off Christmas week following Government...
President’s Report December 2021
Last month I had welcomed the easing of certain restrictions that would ensure we had a healthy trading period through December. Days after releasing last month's newsletter the...
RAI Statement on EWSS & Proposed Restrictions
Restaurants Association of Ireland had a positive and constructive engagement with Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minster Michael McGrath this morning Friday 3rd December regarding...
Media Coverage – December 2021
Media Coverage – November 2021
Dining Week April 19th to April 28th 2022
We are delighted to announce the launch of Dining Week, a nationwide initiative to bring diners back into our restaurants during the quiet period from April 19th to April 28th...
President’s Report November 2021
I hope the Halloween & Autumn period kept you and your staff very busy and we can now look forward to the festive period. This time last year we were at level 3 lockdown and...
Media Coverage – October 2021
RAI Statement – Budget 2022
Restaurants Association of Ireland describe Budget 2022 as disastrous for Hospitality & TourismIncrease of VAT rate to 13.5% next September a blow for Tourism RecoveryA still...
President’s Report October 2021
Welcome to the Presidents report for October, As the Budget approaches, the team in RAI headquarters have been extremely busy preparing our Pre-Budget submission. This document...
RAI Pre-Budget Submission 2022
The Restaurants Association of Ireland has today released its Pre-Budget 2022 Submission. Speaking about the asks of the restaurant and wider hospitality industry, Adrian...
Media Coverage – September 2021
President’s Report September 2021
Welcome to my Presidents report for September 2021. It is hard to believe that the kids are back to school after what feels like an 18 month long summer. I hope you got to enjoy...
RAI Statement on Government’s Reopening Plan: COVID-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing our Recovery and Reconnecting
Restaurant and Hospitality Sector cautiously welcomes the Government’s announcement regarding the easing of COVID restrictions Survival Supports must remain in place into Winter...
President’s Report August 2021
Welcome to your August newsletter, July proved to be a very challenging month. Our reopening date was originally the 5th of July which was postponed due to the Delta Variant....
Media Coverage – August 2021
President’s Report July 2021
Welcome to your July newsletter, We are now entering the 17th month of the pandemic & the 17th month of severe business restrictions. We have made sacrifices in our business...
Indoor Dining reopens Monday 26th July – Guidelines Released
Indoor Dining Guidelines Released https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/.../Guidance-for-Indoor... Updated Hospitality & Tourism Guidelines...
Media Coverage – July 2021
Statement – Restaurants Association of Ireland 29th June 2021
Restaurant Sector astounded and angered by a further delay of possible two weeks to reopening Indoors Allowing vaccinated customers only to dine indoors is flawed, unworkable,...
Reported delay to Indoor Dining – Contact your local TD
Full NameConstituencyShort TitleFull TitleEmailKathleen FunchionCarlow-KilkennyDeputykathleen.funchion@oireachtas.ieJohn...
Statement regarding date for Indoor Dining
The Restaurants Association of Ireland is aware of recent comments by An Taoiseach and cabinet Ministers to media that it is too early to confirm if the date for indoor dining on...
Media Coverage – June 2021
Update – Legal Challenge for Indoor Dining Equality
The Restaurants Association of Ireland and members of the Association have applied to the High Court seeking leave to challenge distinctions made between indoor dining in...
President’s Report – June 2021
Welcome to your June newsletter, Today is the day that I get to reopen my business and welcome my customers back. I am finding it extremely hard to celebrate my...
Restaurants Association of Ireland Statement on Government Announcement 28th May 2021
Delay of indoor dining for all Hospitality - unjust, unscientific and discriminatory Government decision means no viable trading for standalone Restaurants, Cafes or Gastropubs...
Legal Challenge – Indoor Dining Equality
Today a member of the Restaurants Association of Ireland has issued a notice to Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and the Chief State Solicitor's Office of an...
Media Coverage May 2021
https://twitter.com/i/status/1388897790907109378 https://twitter.com/NewstalkFM/status/1389500048644481026?s=20
President’s Report – May 2021
Welcome to your May newsletter, Summer is upon us and we are still restricted in our capabilities, we are now 14 months locked down in some way, shape or form. An...
RAI Statement on Government Announcement 29th April 2021
Restaurant customers must dine on the street, whilst hotel guests can eat and drink indoors. Government announcement has divided the Hospitality Industry. No Medical or Public...
Media Coverage April 2021
Hospitality & Tourism Expo 2021: Reset & Recover – Tuesday 13th April 2021
The Hospitality & Tourism Expo 2021 taking place this April 13th, is set to be a significant aid in helping the Hospitality & Tourism sectors recover, with...
President’s Report – April 2021
Welcome to your April newsletter, I hope the Easter weekend was extremely busy for those that were offering a takeaway or delivery service and if not that the CRSS was of some...
Revised Living with COVID Plan – No Dates – No Metrics – No Plan – Lacking in Detail
Government announcement doesn’t go far enough - Restaurant & Hospitality Sector given no hope & no confidence. The Restaurant Association of Ireland has reacted with...
Statement from Restaurants Association of Ireland in advance of Government announcement today Tuesday 30th March
Restaurants and Hospitality Sector appeal to Government for Clear Roadmap to reopening with TimeLine, Metrics and specific percentage of population vaccinated, for the resumption...
Greater Supports Needed for Survival of Sector – Media Coverage March 2021
https://twitter.com/VirginMediaNews/status/1374428230430552070?s=20 https://twitter.com/LMFMRADIO/status/1374378519946350598?s=20...
President’s Report – March 2021
Welcome to your March newsletter, After a very long and dark winter a touch of spring is in the air and we can look forward to brighter days ahead. It is hard to believe we are...
Restaurants Association of Ireland Opening Statement 23rd March 2021- Joint Committee on Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht
Our CEO Adrian Cummins and President Mark McGowan spoke to the Joint Committee today on the Impact of Covid-19 on Hospitality Sector. Watch Back Here:...
New Recovery and Renewal 2021 – The Path Ahead Plan doesn’t give Restaurants or Hospitality a clear road map to reopening with specific dates and metrics
Government must now provide meaningful & appropriate financial supports for the survival of restaurants and hospitality businesses150,000 Hospitality workers require...
President’s Report – February 2021
Welcome to your February newsletter, January has been a difficult time for our industry, wet and gloomy weather has made things that bit more difficult. The good news...
President’s Report – January 2021
Welcome to your January newsletter, I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. 2021 will be a year of, hope and recovery and I am writing this newsletter...
Compton Solicitors Summary of the Failte Ireland Guidelines for Reopening
Compton Solicitors have put together the following summary of the most recent Failte Ireland Guidelines for Reopening - this useful guide condensing the restrictions into 2 pages...
President’s Report – December 2020
Welcome to your December newsletter. I am delighted to be writing this newsletter with our industry reopened rather than closed. We had an extremely difficult year and although...
Safe Dining – Safe Restaurants – Safe Christmas
Restaurants Association of Ireland urges all restaurants, cafés and gastropubs reopening this Friday 4th December to abide by public health guidelines. The Restaurants...
Statement on Reopening Friday 4th December
The Restaurants Association of Ireland welcomes the decision announced this evening by Taoiseach Micheál Martin that restaurants, cafés and gastropubs will reopen for indoor...
Restaurants and indoor dining key to safe, regulated, controlled environment for public socialising in December and Christmas
Irish Taxpayer / Exchequer to lose €250 Million if Restaurant Sector remains closed for indoor dining in DecemberDecember accounts for 30% of Restaurants Annual turnover...
Presidents Report – November 2020
Welcome to your November newsletter, As we enter the third week of level 5 restrictions and the rest of Europe follows suit, it seems likely that the level will only be reduced...
Restaurants Association of Ireland describe Budget 2021 as “a step in the right direction towards saving the industry”
Restaurants Association of Ireland describe Budget 2021 as “a step in the right direction towards saving the industry” Hospitality VAT reduction welcomed toward saving the...
Restaurant and Hospitality Industry Sentiment Survey 2020 – Impact of COVID-19
Full Survey Can be viewed here Crowe Restaurant and Hospitality Industry Sentiment Survey captures outlook of Ireland’s hospitality sector ahead of Budget 2021 Revenues for Q3...
“Christmas Season must be saved” Restaurant Owners appeal to Government
Restaurants Association of Ireland calls for actual plan for living with COVID 19180,000 Hospitality employees in state of desperate uncertainty about their livelihoodsLevel 3...
President’s Report – October 2020
Welcome to your October newsletter, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy to our industry colleagues in Donegal & Dublin that have entered a second lockdown. Our CEO...
President’s Report – September 2020
Welcome to your September newsletter, I feel some sense of normality taking communion and confirmation bookings and I personally am delighted to see children going back to...
Restaurants Association of Ireland launches Pre-Budget Submission 2021
Rebuilding & Supporting Ireland’s Restaurant & Hospitality Sector Wage Supports – return to TWSS rates on a sectoral basis. Qualifying period full year 2020 compared to...
Clarification Regarding New Guidelines For Restaurants
The Government Information Service issued further clarification late last night (Tuesday 3rd September) regarding new Guidelines for Restaurant The Restaurants Association of...
Greed Driven Commercial Landlords seem oblivious to Ireland’s economic crisis
Government need to immediately introduce a code of practice and fast track arbitration for distressed commercial tenants Greed Driven Landlords are placing hundreds of businesses...
11pm Curfew for Restaurants – Body Blow to struggling sector
New Closing Times for Restaurants will make thousands of businesses unviable and place tens of thousands of jobs at risk. ...
Restaurants Association of Ireland reacts to July Stimulus Package
Restaurants Association of Ireland: “No decrease in Tourism VAT rate is a nail in the coffin for border Restaurant & Hospitality businesses competing with 5% rate in Northern...
Immediate reduction in Tourism and Hospitality VAT rate to 5% needed for restaurant survival.
Immediate inclusion on alcohol on sales in the 5% rate essentialUK has cut the reduced Value Added Tax on hospitality services from the current 20% standard rate to the reduced...
50% of Restaurants face closure unless Government intervenes with Emergency Grant Aid Package
Report drafted by Jim Power Economics warns of high costs for the sector due to lack of supportsLandlords & Banks bearing down on Tourism & Hospitality SectorWe need...
Restaurants Association of Ireland express huge disappointment with lack of economic focus for Tourism in new Department realignment.
Exclusion of Tourism from standalone department to address the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the sector sends shockwaves across Restaurant BusinessesRAI look...
“Reopening Your Hospitality Business – A Practical Guide” is now available.
The COVID-19 Booklet “Reopening Your Hospitality Business – A Practical Guide” is now live online and contains a foreword from Adrian Cummins, CEO of The Restaurants Association...
Restaurants Association of Ireland Welcome launch of Programme for Government
We eagerly await a full and comprehensive plan of supports & grants for the Tourism & Hospitality Sector The Restaurants Association of Ireland today welcomed the launch...
President’s Report – June 2020
The weather has been absolutely glorious, and it is hard for one not to think what a season we would be having right now if it was not for this Pandemic. As the days and weeks go...
Restaurants Association of Ireland call on Government to allow all Hospitality & Tourism Businesses reopen on Phase 3 – 29th June
CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland says all Hospitality & Tourism Sectors should be treated equally and allowed reopen on the 29th June under strict Public...
Watch the RAI’s 9-Point COVID Recovery Plan Video
In April, The Restaurants Association of Ireland launched its 9-point plan to help save and recover the restaurant industry. Watch the video below to find out more....
President’s Report – May 2020
As we enter the 8th week of lock down it is fair to say that we as a nation have done a remarkable job in flattening the curve. An Taoiseach’s announcements on Friday has...
Restaurants Association of Ireland Launch COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Plan.
9 out of 10 Restaurants face permanent closureRestaurants Association of Ireland Launch COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Plan: 9 Point Recovery Plan for the Irish Restaurant Sector.90%...
RAI Launches it’s 9 Point Plan for Reopening & Sustaining The Irish Restaurant Sector.
RAI Trade Members Compton Solicitors offer expert advice on: Covid 19: Restaurants operate as Takeaway
Emergency Legislation for Restaurants: An Emergency Exempted Development Act has been passed lifting planning restrictions to allow restaurant businesses adapt to the closure of...
RAI Trade Members Compton Solicitors offer expert advice on: The Online Sale of Alcohol with Takeaway
Can your Restaurant sell alcohol online with takeaway service? Not all licences permit the sale of alcohol as part of the takeaway offering. The type of alcohol that can be...
Restaurants Association of Ireland Launch COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Plan
9 out of 10 Restaurants face permanent closureRestaurants Association of Ireland Launch COVID-19 Crisis Recovery Plan: 9 Point Recovery Plan for the Irish Restaurant Sector.90%...
Restaurants Association of Ireland welcomes Government order for all Restaurants & Cafés to limit their supply to take away and deliveries only from midnight tonight due the COVID-19 pandemic
According to the Restaurants Association of Ireland, while the increase in measures is welcome, a bespoke hospitality aid package is required for our industry immediately Adrian...
Immediate Business Supports needed to keep Restaurant & Tourism Sector afloat due to COVID-19
The Restaurants Association of Ireland call for an immediate reduction of the VAT rate to 9%, plus business supports, for a period of 6 months80% corporate booking cancellations...
Next Government Needs to be Pro Jobs, Pro Tourism and Pro Small Businesses
The Restaurants Association of Ireland Launches 2016 General Election Manifesto Next Government Needs to be Pro Jobs, Pro Tourism and Pro Small Businesses “The Restaurant Vote”...