Mary Lou visits Leitrim pledging to cut VAT to 9% for hospitality

During a campaign stop in Manorhamilton on Friday, November 15, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald emphasized her party’s commitment to strengthening rural communities and supporting small businesses. She praised the region’s creativity and innovation, celebrating local entrepreneurs who are driving progress in the west of Ireland.

“Leitrim is a lovely county, isn’t it?” McDonald remarked during her visit to JJ and Shane’s restaurant. “And this is a gorgeous restaurant here now for four years. I think it is a testament to people from this part of Ireland who may go away for a while, gain experience, do well, but then have a real passion for coming back to their home place and investing here in the west of Ireland.”

McDonald also highlighted the importance of fostering local enterprise and innovation to revitalize the region. “It’s where we bring students and industry together to come up with new innovative ideas and programs,” she said, emphasizing the potential for Ireland’s economic and social growth.

A major focus of McDonald’s visit was Sinn Féin’s pledge to introduce a 9% VAT rate for businesses such as cafes, restaurants, and hairdressers—a measure she said is critical to saving local jobs and reducing the cost of living.

“Sinn Féin will permanently cut VAT for the hospitality sector to save local jobs and tackle the cost of living,” McDonald announced. “Sinn Féin knows that many small businesses in the hospitality sector are under real pressure, particularly cafés, restaurants, and businesses like hairdressers. Far too many of these businesses have closed over the last year.”

McDonald criticized the government’s decision to raise the VAT rate to 13.5%, citing the closure of 600 small businesses in the last year alone. “It is absolutely imperative that the 9% VAT rate is reinstated for businesses like this,” she said. “That has had a real impact, especially in towns and villages across rural Ireland.”

She pledged that a Sinn Féin-led government would act swiftly to reduce the VAT rate. “To save local jobs, a Sinn Féin-led government will introduce a reduced 9% VAT rate for the hospitality sector. We will implement this within the first 100 days of government,” McDonald stated, adding that the measure is fully costed and a necessary intervention.

On the broader election campaign, McDonald exuded confidence in Sinn Féin’s vision for Ireland. “This election presents people with the choice of change and a government led by Sinn Féin for the very first time,” she said. “The only way to get a change of government is to vote Sinn Féin.”

McDonald concluded by reaffirming Sinn Féin’s dedication to rural investment and small businesses, stating, “We will be as good as our word because we value small businesses like these, we value rural communities, and we know that they need every support.”

Her message was clear: Sinn Féin’s leadership would prioritize the survival and growth of small businesses and ensure the vitality of rural Ireland.

Sinn Féin candidate Martin Kenny, who was also in attendance, called the housing crisis "the father of all other problems," stressing that the lack of available accommodation is at the heart of many challenges facing local communities. He pointed out that the shortage of housing is directly impacting the ability to attract essential workers, particularly teachers and healthcare professionals. "When you have new teachers come to a school, discover they can't find a place to rent or a place to live in their local community, and they may go somewhere else, all of those things are having an impact," he explained, highlighting the ripple effect on key services.

Kenny emphasized that addressing the housing shortage is critical for the stability of local economies and the well-being of residents. "The problem we have, and the big problem, is an accommodation problem, and a housing problem, and that's the real issue that we need to tackle," he stated. Without sufficient housing, both current residents and newcomers who are essential to filling jobs will continue to struggle. For Kenny, tackling the housing crisis is not just about meeting the demand for homes—it's about ensuring a stable, thriving community for everyone.