caherconnell

This kind of stealth taxation pretending to be environmental policy helps no one....

You'd have to wonder why our public representatives are choosing to spin this against an already suffering hospitality industry. Rural Ireland & our #RuralEconomy remain electorally expendable it seems. #WeSeeYou @conwayforclare @JoeCooneyTD

@EoghanOMW Public policy makers preparing the way to spin the line that all the money went to the hospitality industry post budget ?

Stating that cutting hospitality VAT to 9% ‘would cost between €950m and €1bn’ has me scratching my head. Finance officials have long costed it at €545m. Why suddenly has cost doubled? If anything should come down with CSO reporting tourism slump? Odd. independent.ie/irish-news/pol…

@RAI_ie @jackfchambers @FineGael @fiannafailparty Politicians will be out complaining prices haven't reduced the week after this is enacted. Small business viability is not seen as important by Irish public policy makers. #politicalFootball

Minister @jackfchambers this afternoon reiterating government’s commitment to reinstating the 9% VAT rate on RTÉ News at One. @FineGael and @fiannafailparty have now both made it clear on multiple occasions that the 9% VAT rate will be in October’s Budget. Welcome news for the industry as we continue to grapple with the cost of doing business.

Catch Nevin trying his hand with our sheepdogs tonight on RTE1 from 8pm #coastal #burren #sheepdogs

Irish public policy makers are remarkably consistent in their rejection of the idea that actions have consequences #inflation #PublicPolicy #Governance #ffg

It is quite something to see Failte Ireland allocating a full 10% of the written material in the tourism barometer to, a vain effort at abdicating, public policy makers from responsibility for the troubles facing the industry. #speechless #WeSeeYou #FFG failteireland.ie/FailteIreland/…

A journey of an electricity bill in a small restaurant over an 11 year period for one month May 2025 - €2000 (Flogas) May 2024 - €1600 (Flogas) May 2023 - €2230 (Flogas) May 2022 - €2530 (Flogas) May 2021 - €690 (Flogas) May 2020 - €450 (Flogas) May 2019 - €990 (Energia) May 2018 - €1260 (Energia) May 2017 - €1184 (Energia) May 2016 - €1130 (Energia) May 2015 - €1175 (Energia) Notes 2020 opened a pop up deli from 2nd week onwards during Covid 2021 - pop up deli all month as they closed us down again for Covid I use a broker that runs a pricing gauge against main providers and I always pick lowest provider obviously. Summary Electricity bills for businesses have doubled after Covid from pre covid Slight decrease in last two years from post covid prices Apparently we have an energy regulator. Apparently, our energy rates are the highest in Europe. I repeat, apparently we have an energy regulator So when you rush to say restaurants are ripping you off, I can tell you now, most are running at a break even rate, if even! If you don’t believe me, please feel free to open one and join me and my fellow peers in making millions like us Government policies over the last 5 years throughout covid and immigration have decimated our industry and many other small family run businesses. You will see mass closures again this winter (if not before). A reduction in the VAT rate will not solve this Urgent immediate rebates in employers rsi, energy costs and rates are the only thing that will save these businesses from closures. This was my message to @peterburkefg I hope the Minister and his department will listen to what I said If you think the above bill is bad, you should see what businesses pay in tax for the luxury of hiring people and how that amount has increased over the same time frame. Or what the average wage cost percentage has increased by over this timeframe too. Then you will realise that it is not the small businesses of Ireland that are robbing you It’s the government

Public policy makers have chosen to actively damage the indigenous economy through mandated policy driven cost inflation in recent years. When will the 1st politician or finance mandarin claim to be shocked that actions have consequences one wonders. . . #WeSeeYou #responsible

This is a very well observed point on the subject of the real experience of inflation as opposed to the headline rate. Public policy makers are consistently refusing to accept responsibility for the impact of a series of remarkably poor decisions in this respect.

Domestic travel falls, & Ireland increasingly priced out of international travel markets. This govt could have chosen to protect domestic employment. How long until political parties have the cheek to ask who destroyed the hospitality industry? #WeSeeYou irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/0…

Clare to host gathering of iron smelters and Blacksmiths clareherald.com/living/traditi… @caherconnell

#MunsterFinal #GAA Greatest day of the year and what a game....

Rising costs are pushing food-led businesses to the brink. Our Cost of Doing Business 2025 survey reveals staggering increases since 2022: ⚡ Electricity per kWh: +96% 🔥 Gas per kWh: +58% 🛡️ Insurance premiums: +33% While customers will have noticed some increase in menu prices, the reality is that businesses have had no choice but to raise them. These soaring utility costs are hitting food-led businesses hard and threatening their viability nationwide. The figures speak for themselves. View the full survey findings via rai.ie/2025/05/150-re…

Over the past three years, food prices in Ireland have risen sharply, with lunch and dinner costs only increasing by 16.92% between 2022 and 2025. But this increase doesn’t come close to covering the surge in input costs. Restaurants are absorbing at least half of the rising expenses just to stay open. This is not sustainable. Food-led hospitality businesses are under immense financial pressure and the burden is falling squarely on them. We call on the Government to take action and support one of Ireland’s most important industries before even more businesses are forced to close their doors.

The maiden voyage of the Cliffs and Burren Explorer is now underway. The free shuttle bus service offers free entry to the Cliffs and connectivity to Liscannor, Miltown Malbay, Lahinch, Kilfenora and more

Super ( and free ! ) service stopping here 3 times daily. Book now at cliffsofmoherexperience.palisis.com/?book-direct=r…

The results of a series of ill considered public policy actions are becoming apparent. No doubt there will be consequences for those who decided to irreparably damage rural Irelands largest indigenous industry ! Tune in tomorrow for more comedy gold.... #forshame #consequences

No industry can survive a concerted public policy effort at destroying international competitiveness. Irelands largest regional employer #RIP

Burren & Cliffs Explorer! 🚌 This summer, a brand-new hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus is making it easier than ever to discover the breathtaking beauty of North and West Clare. The free and bookable ‘Burren and Cliffs Explorer’ will run from 01st of May 2025. cliffsofmoher.ie/burren-and-cli…