Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have some questions. I will try to keep them short. I hope the answers can be relatively short too.

Representatives from the national campaign for the arts were before the committee. They told us that performing artists were losing €2.9 million per month. Does the Department accept that figure? That is the first question.

Mr. Kelly said that 70% of our tourism spend and tourists come to Ireland from abroad in a typical year. What figure does he anticipate this year? Even if we have the same number of Irish tourists - I think the number will be greatly in excess of the number we usually have - no one is coming in from abroad. Will the figure be more than 70%? Does Mr. Kelly think our tourism season will be extended this year? Typically, it covers May, June, July and August. What is the typical tourist season for the domestic tourist? Will it spill over into September or early October for people who perhaps were unable to go on holidays in May or June? I realise he cannot look into a crystal ball, but what does Mr. Kelly expect?

The regulations introduced by the Minister were published on Wednesday. They purported to come into effect some time earlier but at the least they were not enforceable before they were published. They provide that a customer must have a substantial meal. Does Mr. Kelly believe it will come as a surprise to tourists who come from abroad - I am referring to the few who will make it here - that a substantial meal will somehow protect them from Covid-19? Is there is a risk that they might believe they are coming onto the set of "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" or something like that?

The legal regulations do not say anything about live music. Can a pub legally have live music as long as a substantial meal is being served? What are the recommendations around live music? When will live music be allowed in bars? If musicians are spaced as far apart as the four Deputies in the Chamber, how on earth do they pose a particular threat? Is there a fear that people will lunge at them? How are they a threat to health?