Fáilte Ireland believe that the high cost of renting a car could influence people not to come to Ireland

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Inflation is having a crippling affect on our wallets and renting a car is the next industry to be hit with soaring prices.

The cost of renting a family car in Dublin for a fortnight is as much as 75 per cent higher than other European countries.

Car rental prices are working out as much as 4,000 euro more expensive than Athens, Lisbon and Barcelona.

This has a knock on effect to the tourism industry in Ireland.

Fáilte Ireland warned that car rental prices in this country are lowering Ireland's reputation as a value-for-money destination.

Holidaymakers are more likely to visit rural Ireland with 20% of all overseas tourists renting a car while they visit the emerald aisle.

As of today to rent a Ford focus for 8 days from Dublin airport costs approx € 1,300.

And to rent a Seat Leon in Barcelona for 8 days costs just under € 500.

The industry claims the reason for the problem is a lack of supply.

2022 stock levels are said to be 50% of what they were pre-pandemic.

Paul Redmond, Chief Executive of from the Car Rental Council of Ireland, said that it has no data on car rental prices and comment on the matter.