The Restaurants Association of Ireland was formed in 1970 with the initial goal of forming a strong lobby that would represent the industry at Government level on issues of importance to the Irish restaurant industry. Nine branches were formed around the country, all of which still exist today. The Association’s efforts in 1986 to get VAT reduced from 25% to 10% and again in 2013 to maintain the VAT at 9% was the result of the expert lobbying of a group of dedicated restaurateurs on behalf of themselves and their colleagues. Such successes have been repeated over the years, particularly in the areas of taxation, licensing, standards, curriculum development both at Irish Government level and also at European level. The RAI now represents in excess of 2,000 members, with establishments representing full service restaurants, coffees shops, hotel restaurants, gastropubs, golf clubs and cookery schools. We also have over 100 trade partners, businesses that are our approved suppliers of products and services for restaurants. The RAI organise and promote the annual Irish Restaurant Awards, Ireland’s premier restaurant event – www.irishrestaurantawards.com. For all details on the awards please see our website www.irishrestaurantawards.com or follow us on Twitter @restawards or Like us on facebook 'Irish Restaurant Awards'.