Óna Máire Walsh

So remember, if you have thousands of Airbnb-type properties taken out of the economy, which you will have from December 1st onwards,

and you don't have the adequate number of hotel stock, then you've got a supply problem.

So for the first time I can recall in tourism, demand is looking okay, aside from some of the macroeconomic and geopolitical stuff going on.

The problem is on the supply front.

And the good thing on the supply side is that we can influence that.

We can control the controllables.

And that's why I think we need pro-tourism and pro-enterprise policies to stimulate new supply.

Well, you know, there's a suite of factors.

You know, I think we probably need to do a bit of work in it.

I would hope the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise are doing that work.

But things like tax incentives, things like commercial... We've been down that road before, haven't we?

Things like commercial rates waivers.

They're doing very well.

Yeah, but I think just because it didn't work before and it was allowed to go on too long...

I think doesn't mean you shouldn't revisit it.

I think if they were geographically focused and time-bound, I think they would work.

Certainly, there needs to be some intervention.

Like Economics 101 suggests that if there's market failure, as is proven in this regard, policy intervention is needed from government.

And I think that needs to start in Budget 2027.

Well, things like Dublin City Council doubling the development levy is absolutely counterproductive, so that should go in the other direction.