It appears unlikely that the Government will introduce a so-called Dublin tourist tax in the near future, reports RTE.
Last week, reports revealed that four of Dublin’s local authorities had been collaborating on a shared proposal to apply a levy on hotel room bookings.
The proposed tax could generate around €12 million annually by adding an extra charge to tourists’ accommodation bills, reports RTE.
Local councillors have suggested that the revenue could be used to enhance public amenities in the city.
However, sources indicate that Minister for Tourism Peter Burke is currently prioritising legislation around short-term rentals and does not intend to pursue a new tourist levy at this stage, reports RTE.
One Government insider noted that while Ireland offers good value for tourists, it’s not considered a low-cost destination — so raising costs further may not be advisable.
Additionally, Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan has expressed opposition to the idea, stating that “the last thing we need to do” is impose extra charges on visitors, reports RTE.
He noted that although local councils are free to propose such initiatives, the power to implement taxes ultimately lies with the Minister for Finance.
Any new tax measure would have to be introduced as part of the Finance Bill, reports RTE.
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