Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions CLG

Politician(s) lobbied: Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance

Intent: Inclusion of AVEA's points for consideration in the development of 'next steps' for the Insurance Reform plan

Methods: Submission

Politician(s) lobbied: Dara Calleary (Minister), Department of Rural and Community Development

Intent: Inclusion of five key recommendations in DRCD's Statement of Strategy to 2028

Methods: Submission

Politician(s) lobbied: Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: AVEA made a contribution to the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, as it prepares its Statement of Strategy covering the period 2025 to 2028. AVEA seeks to help its members achieve their full tourism potential through active engagement with DETE, to optimise the conditions for businesses to thrive and survive, and made eight recommendations for the Minister's consideration.

Methods: Submission

Politician(s) lobbied: Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Finance; Paschal Donohoe (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Neale Richmond (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Dara Calleary (Minister of State), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Peter Burke (Minister), Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Intent: Consideration by Minister for Finance, Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and relevant Ministers of State

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Niamh Smyth (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Chris Andrews (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Ciaran Cannon (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Peter Fitzpatrick (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Brendan Griffin (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Mattie McGrath (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Imelda Munster (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Christopher O'Sullivan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Michael Ring (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Malcolm Byrne (Senator), Seanad; Micheál Carrigy (Senator), Seanad; Shane Cassells (Senator), Seanad; Annie Hoey (Senator), Seanad; Annie Hoey (Senator), Seanad

Intent: Support by Members of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Tourism for AVEA's key Budget asks

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Catherine Martin (Minister), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Cian Ó Lionáin (Assistant Secretary), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Maria Melia (Head of Unit), Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Intent: AVEA requests consideration for the following key items in Budget 2025:Accelerated costs of business are threatening the viability of many tourism businessesVAT at 9% to be restoredEconomic contribution of tourism to be recognised and supported, especially in rural areasAccess to be a key priority - Dublin Airport, regional airports, EV charging infrastructure, transport infrastructureBudgets for Tourism Ireland and Fáilte Ireland to be restored to 2023 levels

Methods: Letter

Politician(s) lobbied: Cian Ó Lionáin (Assistant Secretary), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Intent: To brief officials in DETE and DTCAGSM on ongoing issues facing the visitor attractions sector around the costs of doing business.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Catherine Martin (Minister), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media; Michael McGrath (Minister), Department of Finance

Intent: AVEA seeks the Minister for Finance and Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to give consideration to returning to the 9% VAT rate for tourism and hospitality businesses

Methods: Letter

Politician(s) lobbied: Unknown

Intent: Unknown

Methods: Unknown

Politician(s) lobbied: Niamh Smyth (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Catherine Martin (Minister), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Intent: Further to the launch of the JOC Report 'Developing Rural Tourism in Ireland', AVEA recommended the establishment of an inter-departmental Tourism Coordination Committee.As tourism is a sector dependent on close collaboration of many Departments – Tourism, Transport, Planning, Rural Affairs, Enterprise, Justice, etc – a Committee comprising representatives from all relevant Departments should be established to ensure the recommendations of the Report are implemented in a timely manner.

Methods: Email