Sir, – Congratulations to Dublin City Council for proposing a hotel bed night tax (“Tourist tax of up to €5 per night considered for Dublin city“, March 19th). This is not a new thing. During my time on the council, as far back as 1983, I proposed a hotel bed-night tax. Similar submissions were made in subsequent years and decades.
On all occasions, councillors and the executive unanimously agreed with the proposals. We are aware many other cities have this tax, which is paid to the local authority. We know the greater the footfall in the city, the greater the need for costly street cleaning and maintenance of utilities. This is provided by the local authority.
The government has always blocked these proposals for Dublin, in response to heavy lobbying by the tourism industry. In an article on Tuesday, the chief executive of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation pointed out that the sector pays taxes to central Government.
We all pay taxes. This is, yet again, the poor-mouth cry from the tourism industry.
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The cost of a hotel room in Dublin has risen exponentially since 1983. It is now among the most expensive locations in the world. Recent research indicates the daily rate for hotels in the Dublin region increased by 65.6 per cent between 2005 and 2025.
Acknowledging factors such as inflation and wage increases, this is still a significant increase. It leads me to assume the cost of a hotel room is based on what the market will bear. Instead of just pocketing the profits, it is time the tourism industry paid their fair share to their local authority to keep the city clean and functioning for tourists and Dubliners alike. This is what happens in other cities.
Let’s hope the Government acts responsibly and supports its local authorities rather than caving in to powerful lobbying. – Yours, etc,
MARY FREEHILL,
Former Dublin City councillor and former lord mayor of Dublin,
DUBLIN 6.
