Restaurants Lead ‘Day of Protest’

The Restaurants Association of Ireland has asked its members throughout the country to travel to Dublin today (Tuesday 15th October) for a “Day of Protest” which will include a march to Leinster House.

RAI has also invited organisations representing small businesses to join them in protesting against what they perceive as a Budget which was “tone deaf” to the hospitality sector.

The organisation had conducted intense lobbying and a PR campaign seeking a concessionary 9% VAT rate for food service businesses. The argument was rejected by Government on cost grounds. Instead the sector was given a €4,000 grant to alleviate increased costs.

Members of the RAI, the wider hospitality industry and other small business groups will assemble at 1pm on Mount Street Upper, before marching past the Department of Finance and holding a rally outside Leinster House from 2pm to 4pm.

“Restaurateurs, small coffee shop owners, publicans and others in the hospitality industry are hardworking people operating in what is currently an incredibly challenging business environment,” said Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland.

He added: “They would much rather be serving great food and welcoming guests than travelling to Dublin to protest. Unfortunately, the lack of support for hospitality and small businesses in Budget 2025 made this demonstration inevitable.”