Sir, - On behalf of the Dun Laoghaire Tourism Group Ltd, I would like to state how appalled and disgusted we are at Dublin Corporation's proposal to put a £3 a night tax on every visitor staying in Dublin.
Approved bed and breakfast operators already pay substantial rates to Bord Failte and its associated companies. Allied to this there is also a 10 per cent commission taken by Bord Failte on every booking per person per night. These costs hit only approved B&B operators, who also pay tax on their income. Unapproved operators do not have these costs, and make none of these payments. If all operators were to be licensed, this would eliminate unapproved operators and provide the revenue desired by Dublin Corporation. When EU funding was allocated in the Dublin region, B&B operators were ineligible for any of it.
One of the main so-called justifications given by Dublin Corporation for this scandalous tax is that it will pay to clean up O'Connell Street. Tourists are no more responsible for dirtying Dublin than anybody else, yet this one sector is being leant on to fund this operation.
Tourists regularly tell us how expensive they find Ireland, particularly Dublin. This tax will only result in many tourists avoiding the Dublin region and Ireland in general, thus backfiring badly on those responsible.
Along with other interested parties, we in the Dun Laoghaire Tourism Group will endeavour to prevent the imposition of this disgraceful tax, and continue to promote Dublin and Ireland as an attractive and affordable tourist destination. - Yours, etc., Marie Power, Secretary, Dun Laoghaire Tourism Group,
Mulgrave Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.