BREAKING - HU STATEMENT AS MINISTER OF FINANCE HALTS REVAL 2026

29 January 2026

Reactive statement from Hospitality Ulster on Minister of Finance's decision to halt Reval 2026

Colin Neill, Chief Executive, Hospitality Ulster said:

"Hospitality Ulster welcomes today's announcement by the Finance Minister John O'Dowd that he intends to halt Reval 2026 and review the process that brought the hospitality to this crisis point.

"At a time when hurt and anxiety were at all-time highs in the sector, it is a relief that the Minister has listened to the people who are both a cornerstone of our economy and who provide an invaluable service to our society. This demonstrates the value of having locally elected politicians that can intervene.

"Hospitality's opposition to Reval 2026 has never been based on an unwillingness to contribute our fair share to rates revenue, but about communicating that what was proposed was not fair and would have been the death knell for our industry. We now look forward to working with the Minister to come to a solution that allows the sector to pay its fair share and develop at the same time, allowing the sector to contribute positively to the growth of the Northern Ireland economy. Hospitality stands ready to play its part; we now await the Minister's next steps and further clarity on what this means for our industry."