Restaurant owners want the Government to keep the 9 per cent VAT rate for the tourism and hospitality sectors, saying that it has boosted trade and employment.

A survey of Restaurant Association of Ireland members found that 70 per cent of them say that the reduced rate has increased business and contributed to the hiring of new staff.

At its annual conference yesterday, the association called on Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar to maintain the 9 per cent rate.