The summer of 2023 is shaping up to be a disaster for many restaurants around the country.
That's the view of the industry's representative group, which says a combination of bad weather and a reduction in accommodation spaces due to the influx of refugees is causing problems for some in the sector.
Restaurants' Association of Ireland says a scheduled increase in VAT next month will close some businesses.
CEO Adrian Cummins says popular tourist towns are losing out:
"Most towns or downstream businesses like restaurants are telling me that are down nearly 50/60% on turnover based against last year's July figures. So that's a huge impact on the restaurant industry at a time where we're now facing a VAT increase from 9% to 13.5%"
