Tourists in Ireland already pay enough without adding a 'tourist tax', say hotels

Eva Osborne

The Irish Hotels Federation has said visitors coming here already pay enough without adding a tourist tax.

Dublin City Council previously estimated a levy in the capital could bring in €12 million a year.

Meanwhile, Fingal County Council has written to local authorities as part of a push for legislation to allow councils to introduce the charge.

However, chief executive of the Irish Hotels Federation, Paul Gallagher, said tourists are an easy target for politicians.

Speaking on Newstalk, Gallagher said: "At the moment, 29 cent of every euro that a visitor spends in Ireland in hospitality services, or in taxis, or in whatever other consumption that they have, is returned directly to the State.

"They already pay a phenomenal amount of money."