Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their attendance. I previously raised in the House the issue of seasonal workers. I am aware that the loss of seasonal work will create hardship for many people, especially students, who very much depend on restaurant, hotel and pub work to get them through a large part of their next term. It is probable that financial hardship will be experienced if we cannot provide supports for those in seasonal work.

Mr. Cribben finished on the issue of insurance and that is where I wish to start. Well before Covid, I was contacted by publicans who were experiencing difficulty in respect of public liability insurance and its significant cost. As we head into the reopening stage, I am conscious that there is a significant onus on businesses with regard to managing distancing, new working arrangements, hygiene, cleaning and time limits. That will be very challenging for businesses. If they are unable to manage it and a venue becomes a location of transmission of Covid or is identified as a cluster, will the venue or owner be liable? What supports can the witnesses' organisations offer to their members in that regard? The Chairman inquired as to who has responsibility for the enforcement of the new working conditions or arrangements that must be put in place. Who will be responsible for telling a person that he or she should be on a premises for no more than an hour and five minutes? How does one deal with a person who is not willing to leave after that time?