Debate contribution: Reval2026: Hospitality Sector

Debate contribution by Mr Timothy Gaston on 24 February 2026.

MLA: Mr Timothy Gaston
Party at the time: Traditional Unionist Voice
Date: 24 February 2026
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Oral Answers to Questions
Heading: Reval2026: Hospitality Sector
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 5404321

Text

Minister, the hospitality sector can no longer survive with its rates being calculated based on turnover, while the soaring cost of food and utilities is ignored. I understand that you have refused to commission a working group to partner with the sector to design a methodology that is fair and equitable. Reval2026 was going to cause devastation to the industry: what help are you offering the sector today? You said in your initial response that you are open to looking at what people offer, but what is your Department doing to ensure that the methodology is correct, fair and equitable?

100 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Part of an exchange

This follow-up belongs to: Oral question AQO 3181/22-27.

Assessment

Not analysed

This is the same MLA’s follow-up within the exchange on their own question. It is analysed together with that question and is not counted separately, so one question is never counted twice.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification