I want to raise one issue from yesterday's Budget Statement which needs to be aired again, namely, the decision to extend the 9% VAT rate for hotels. I am very much against this. I was disappointed last night to see the head of the Restaurants Association of Ireland on Twitter mocking trade unionists who legitimately campaigned for the rate to be reviewed. I know that there is a new tradition in Fine Gael of mocking trade unionists. They had a good laugh at the weekend with their guest at their nice dinner.

Who was that?

Michael O'Leary.

I see.

Many Senators are proud to be trade union members.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland gains hundreds of millions of euro in subsidies each year, while it refuses to engage with the Workplace Relations Commission and the joint labour committee, JLC, system, re-established by the previous Fine Gael Government. It is an organisation, with the Irish Hotels Federation, which has effectively casualised employment in the whole industry. It is not possible to have a career in the hotel industry anymore, unless one is a manager, because one will only get a casual contract. This applies across all of the best hotels.

It applies even in universities.

Last week The Irish Times reported how a trade unionist in a hotel in Sligo was sacked. She was sacked simply for being a trade unionist. This was found out in an adjudication hearing at the Workplace Relations Commission. I understand the Irish Hotels Federation is now raising a fund to appeal that decision. These organisations are completely hostile to decent working rights in the sector. It is high time we had a proper debate on this matter. Will the Leader organise one? Will he also clearly condemn the Irish Hotels Federation and the Restaurants Association of Ireland for their refusal to engage with the JLC system?