As high-profile restaurants shutter their doors and price gouging concerns rise with the upcoming Oasis concert, we delve into the state of Ireland’s hospitality sector. With calls for a return of the 9% VAT rate, we debate whether it should be reinstated. Is this tax break crucial for the industry's survival, or is it enabling unfair pricing practices?

Ireland’s population has surged by 98,700 in the past year, marking the largest increase since 2008. However, with a pre-existing deficit of 256,000 homes as of 2022, we ask: Are we doing enough to build the infrastructure needed to support this growth? What does this mean for Ireland's future, and how can we address the housing crisis?

New CSO data reveals that earnings have increased by 5.6% on average over the last 12 months. But with skyrocketing rent and car insurance costs, is the inflation rate genuinely reflective of the everyday goods and services people rely on? We explore whether the official numbers align with the reality faced by consumers.

Correction: Around 18 minutes, the point was made that the 9% VAT on hospitality was in place prior to COVID. In fact, the temporary 9% VAT rate was enacted in November 2020, during the pandemic.

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Dale McDermott

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David W. Higgins

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