Connect with us

News

Kerry hoteliers welcome retention of 9% VAT rate

Published

on

T

THE Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) has welcomed the retention of the 9% tourism VAT rate announced as part of Budget 2018. Patrick O’Donoghue, chair of the IHF’s Kerry branch, said the rate has been instrumental in the recovery of the tourism industry, which has created approximately 60,000 new jobs since the measure was introduced in 2011.

The Kerry IHF chair said: “Tourism is an indigenous export industry which not only supports approximately 230,000 jobs - equivalent to 11% of total employment in Ireland it also plays a vital role in addressing the regional imbalance in our economy. The 9% VAT rate has been the single most important fiscal initiative for Irish tourism in the last decade and we are pleased the Government has retained the measure.

"It demonstrates that it has been highly effective in job creation and also acknowledges that we have a pro-tourism Government who see the value the industry brings to every part of our country. The decision is a critical vote of confidence in the tourism industry at a time when it faces significant risks, most notably from Brexit."

Mr O’Donoghue added: “Tourism is one of Ireland’s largest employers. It currently supports some 230,000 jobs and is on-track to create a further 40,000 new jobs by 2021. Direct actions by the government including the 9% VAT rate [and the zero rate travel tax] have helped level the playing field for tourism businesses to compete for visitors with other European destinations and are vital in underpinning and sustaining that growth.”

“Tourism makes an important contribution to the economy of every county and town in Ireland. While the industry has returned to growth, with Brexit looming, a weaker sterling and a continued slowdown in tourism growth, there is no room for complacency.”

 


 
Above: Kerry IHF chair Patrick O'Donoghue.

Advertisement

News

Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

Published

on

Killarney Gardaí await post-mortem results as Muckross Road scene remains cordoned off

Gardaí investigating the discovery of a woman’s body at a residence on Muckross Road in Killarney are awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination to determine the direction of their inquiries.

It is understood that a full murder investigation is expected to be launched.

The deceased has been named locally as Jamey Carney, an American national in her 40s and the mother of a 13-year-old girl.

The scene at the domestic residence remains cordoned off today for a full technical examination, with a visible Garda presence continuing at the location.

An incident room has been established at Killarney Garda Station under a Senior Investigating Officer. Local businesses in the area have already begun supplying CCTV footage to assisting officers.

Speaking to the Killarney Advertiser, local councillor Martin Grady expressed the deep sense of shock in the area.

“I want to offer my condolences to the family,” Cllr Grady said. “This is an awful shock to the local community. I encourage anyone to come forward with any information they may have to An Garda Síochána. Whoever committed such a crime is a cowardly person and should get the maximum penalty.”

Gardaí continue to appeal to anyone who was in the Muckross Road area between the evening of Monday, July 6 and the afternoon of Tuesday, July 7 to come forward. They are particularly appealing to road users and business owners who may have dashcam or CCTV footage from the area during those times.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Killarney Garda Station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda station.

Continue Reading

News

Council to monitor bus parking spaces in town centre

Published

on


Council to monitor bus parking spaces in town centre


Kerry County Council is to monitor the use of town bus parking spaces over the summer months following calls to return specific roadside bays to regular car parking.


The issue was raised by the Mayor of Killarney, John O’Donoghue, at the Killarney Municipal District meeting.
Cllr O’Donoghue asked the Council to monitor town bus parks nightly. He proposed that if these parks are not full, the bus spaces on the Anam Centre side of Railway Road should revert back to car parking.
He said that the roadside area can fit three to four buses, which could instead provide parking spaces for around ten cars.
Cllr O’Donoghue added that town parking is under severe pressure during the summer, particularly with one main car park unavailable for over a month, meaning every extra space would help.
“I do not believe the bus parks in the town to be full very often, so do not see the need for roadside parking in the town,” Cllr O’Donoghue said.
In its official reply, Kerry County Council stated that it continues to monitor bus parking spaces throughout the town. The local authority added that the laybys provided on East Avenue are strictly for bus set-down only, and confirmed that officials will monitor these specific spaces to ensure drivers adhere to the rule.

Attachments

Continue Reading

Last News

Sport