Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport Mary Hanafin has said she plans to meet the National Asset Management Agency to discuss the problems of the hotel sector.
A report yesterday on the hotel industry found that profits have dropped by 50%, room rates are back to 1999 levels and there are 10,000 rooms too many.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Minister Hanafin said she would specifically discuss the future of viable hotels.
The minister said that while the present low level of hotel prices represents great value, it was not the Government's business to decide which hotels should close.
She said the market would play a part, but that it is important that viable businesses do not go under.
The Chief Executive of the Irish Tourist Industry Confederation said the recovery in the tourist industry is anaemic and could take up to five years.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Eamon McKeon said there was concern about the British market, which provides up to 50% of business.
He also warned of the problems hotels are facing, describing it as possibly calamitous.
