Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the measures focused on tourism and live entertainment in particular. A range of measures has been outlined and a considerable amount of funding has been provided. At previous committee meetings and in the Dáil, we asked for a response in this regard and it is fair to say that the response outlined here is significant. I welcome that and thank the Minister and Minister of State. I wish to mention in particular the recent announcement regarding the live performance support scheme which has been broadly welcomed. It will provide a significant boost for small venues in particular which have provided us with so much joy and entertainment in the past. This pilot scheme is hugely important and in that context, I wish to mention three successful applicants from my own area of west Cork, namely, De Barra's which is a world-famous venue, Levis' Corner House and Connolly's of Leap. These are three cornerstones underpinning west Cork's reputation as a leading light in live entertainment. They all acknowledge and appreciate the funding being provided and I thank the Department for that.

Of course, the funding provided is not a panacea and is not all-reaching and in that context I have further questions and some suggestions to make. In terms of supports for the entertainment industry, one sector is being left behind, namely, sound and lighting engineers who may not have a fixed premises. Not having a fixed premises and therefore not paying rates means that they cannot apply for the restart-plus grant scheme although if they have a warehouse and are ratepayers, they can apply. Most importantly, one of the most positive measures in the recent budget was the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS. It now transpires that applicants for that scheme must have a fixed premises but lots of sound and lighting engineers do not have such and even their warehouses do not constitute a fixed premises. I would love to see that addressed.

There are many sound and lighting engineers and they have worked on some of the most well-known productions in the country. They are in grave danger and living off €203 or €206 per week. That situation needs to change.

I welcome the broad suite of measures in respect of tourism, including the €55 million support fund and the VAT reduction, but a number of areas have been omitted. In terms of marine-based tourism, I must declare an interest as a former whale watching guide in Courtmacsherry. Since such businesses have no fixed premises, they cannot avail of the restart grant or the Covid restrictions support scheme, CRSS. Their omission needs to be addressed. They provided people with considerable enjoyment when the economy opened up slightly during the summer. Being out on the ocean and watching the incredible giants of the seas was seen as a safe way of enjoying Ireland, yet the businesses are not able to avail of any of these grants.

Still on tourism and hospitality, my understanding is that a liquor licence or wine licence is needed to avail of the adaptation grant. That omits restaurants and, in particular, cafés that do not have such licences. This needs to be addressed.

I am cognisant of the need to leave as much time for a response as possible. Thankfully, the Covid numbers are going in the right direction. Let us say that we come out of level 5 by December and go to level 3. It is important that we consider a mechanism by which the hospitality sector could accommodate indoor dining under level 3 restrictions. Winter is not the time for outdoor dining.

I welcome the significant allocations to sports. The Minister has done a fantastic job in that regard, but the motor sport sector seems to have been left behind. Could some funding for it be provided?

I have a question on the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland, IBI. I will not take up more time, but I ask that the Minister meet the IBI, be it via Zoom or some other way, and listen to its concerns.