Tax relief for the five-star Westin Hotel on College Green, Dublin, should be withheld for the last tax year according to Friends of the Irish Environment. The group has written to the Revenue Commissioners and the Dublin fire brigade calling for the withholding of tax exemption claims for the Westin Hotel, leased by Treasury Holdings and other investors to Starwood Hotel & Resorts. The hotel opened for a few days earlier this year possibly to avail of the tax exemption for hotels.

The environmental lobby argues that any opening was not in accordance with the Building Control Act. It also says it believes the existing fire certificate does not permit the operation of a hotel, only its construction.