A DONEGAL TD has slammed the growing problem of hotel price gouging in Dublin, claiming that people in Donegal planning to travel to the capital are the worst affected by the “disgraceful display of greed”.
Deputy Thomas Pringle has called on the Government to address price gouging, as he noted Booking.com had not a single Dublin hotel room listed for under €350 for the nights of Taylor Swift’s Dublin concerts next year.
Addressing the Dáil, he said the greed of some has made the experience of attending live events around the country inaccessible for many.
“Unfortunately, the greed of some in this country has made the experience of live events inaccessible for many of our citizens.
“Because while many young people’s anxieties are focused on obtaining tickets (for the Taylor Swift concerts), the anxieties of many parents are focused on affording accommodation.
“From looking at Booking.com this morning, there isn’t a single hotel room available in Dublin for under €350 for either of the nights of the Taylor Swift concerts, and they’re on next year.
“As if that isn’t expensive enough, we have, in recent days, seen rampant price gouging from Dublin hotels, some raising the price of a room from €359 to an incredible €999 for the night of the concert, and this is before tickets have even been released.”
The Independent TD said his constituents in Donegal are undoubtedly the most affected by this disgraceful display of greed because of their distance from the capital.
“Price gouging has been an issue with almost every live event that has taken place in recent years, from concerts, to Ireland games, to GAA finals,” he said.
“This issue has affected fans of all genres of music and fans of all types and levels of sport. But it’s rural fans that are affected most.
“It is yet again another example of the immense greed and selfishness that has taken hold in this country and which is completely unacceptable and unscrupulous during this cost-of-living crisis.”
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