Sir, – Irish Hotels Federation chief executive Paul Gallagher’s alarm (“Tourist tax would make Ireland less attractive as a destination,” Letters, March 25th) at the prospect of a modest tourist tax for visitors to Dublin would be more persuasive were it not so at odds with the experience of travellers across Europe. The idea that a similar charge in Dublin would deter visitors seems, frankly, far-fetched. Gallagher’s argument that a tourist tax would constitute “double taxation” for property tax-paying domestic visitors also stretches credibility. And more importantly, it could provide tangible benefits for the people who actually live and work in Dublin. Sir, – Paul Gallagher, CEO of the Irish Hotels Federation, without a trace of self-awareness uses the high nightly price of a hotel room in Dublin as an argument against a tourist tax.

Source: The Irish Times March 27, 2026 15:00 UTC