The Fine Gael Minister is running for re-election in Longford-Westmeath.
The Department of Finance refused to a reduction of the hospitality VAT rate - according to Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke.
He's running for re-election in the Longford-Westmeath consituency.
His party Fine Gael is pledging to cut the hospitality rate from 13.5 per cent to 11% in their election manifesto - after Minister Burke campaigned to have the rate lowered for next year's budget.
He's also promising to strengthen the multinational economy if re-elected to Government.
Mr Burke says he couldn't convince Finance Minister Jack Chambers to reduce the rate:
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