Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the work done by the Government to support business and industry, both employers and employees. It is vital support in the present climate. Unfortunately, as the Minister has indicated, more will have to come. At least we hope that more will come.

We do not want to go into that other than to say I support the points raised by other speakers relating to the entertainment, services and sporting sectors, all of which contribute to the mass of our economy.

I have questions about two issues. First, we have the potential double whammy of Covid-19, as it stands now, and Brexit. If the Minister does not want to answer this question, that is fine, but is he satisfied that adequate provision can be made in the case of an island nation for adequate transport to and from this island, air and sea, to meet the double challenges to which I referred, and I refer to the national airlines, Aer Lingus and Ryanair, in particular, given that other countries had to bail out their respective airlines for obvious reasons?

The other question relates to the extent to which our colleagues throughout the European Union are impacted by Covid-19. Does the Minister see that affecting their ability to recover and that having an impact on this country in terms of them not being able to meet their commitments in the way that was anticipated, which may cause changes in the way the Stability and Growth Pact is applied?

On the calculations, businesses have been hit in a severe way. I disagree with the notion of increasing taxes in the current climate. It would be implosive in so far as the range of businesses in the sector is concerned. Will the Minister put into his calculations situations where, for instance, businesses that were hit by the downturn in the economy in the past ten years, followed by Covid-19, may have a need to re-equip? I am aware there are supports already in place but they may or may not be sufficient to re-equip and prepare for business. If businesses can write off the various investments against their taxes, it works. If they cannot do that, they are at a disadvantage. I will take written answers if the Minister runs out of time.