A hotel tax in Dublin would make the capital 'unattractive' to visitors, according to a Kerry TD.

Michael Healy-Rae was speaking as a 1% Dublin hotel tax, that could raise €12 million a year, is being opposed by the hotel industry.

Comparing pint prices between Dublin and other parts of the country, Deputy Healy-Rae told The Pat Kenny Show this is going too far.

"Food is very expensive in Dublin and... you're paying enough for a hotel room," he said.

"If county councillors above in Dublin, or anybody else, thinks that they can squeeze more out of the people going to visit the city, I think they're wrong.

"I think it is a case of killing the goose that lays the golden egg.

"Remember - it's our city. It doesn't belong to the people of Dublin; it belongs to the people of the rest of the country as well.

"We don't want to be overcharged for the privilege of staying there."

'It's costing double '

He said this is just "another tax" on people.

"It's costly enough to get there,” he said. “It's costing double now what it used to cost before in diesel and petrol.

"Does anybody think at some stage people are going to say, 'My goodness, we're taxed to death - we're sick of taxes'.

"If they want to raise more money in Dublin, go and raise it themselves".

Room lights are seen outside rooms along a corridor in a hotel in 2017. Picture by: Stephen Barnes/Ireland / Alamy Stock Photo

Deputy Healy-Rae said the county council needs to look elsewhere.

"They're looking to squeeze €12 million out of their visitors," he said.

"Whether it's us coming from the country, or whether it's the people coming from abroad.

"I would say to the people in the local authority, and to the people, try to raise the money somewhere else - but don't go after the person who is ultimately your customer.

"Every person who runs a business, you know that you have to be seen and people have to feel that they're getting value for money.

"If you're paying between €7 and €8 for a pint of Guinness in Dublin, and below in Kilmackillogue, you're paying €3.90, surely be to God there's something wrong there - it's the same pint of Guinness.

"I just think that they're squeezing and squeezing, and they'll make the city unattractive, and I wouldn't like to see that happen," he added.