Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests. The entertainment sector has taken the brunt of the effect of the pandemic and it is hugely important to listen to those involved and examine their experience of how the State has responded to meet the challenges. My first question is for Mr. Sharpe. What ideas does Give Us The Night have around the type of stakeholder forum that could be set up within every local authority and how that might contribute to a more inclusive approach to entertainment culture and the hospitality sector? I come from a town in the west, Castlebar, with a population of less than 10,000. In the past, we had three nightclubs and a very vibrant night-time economy, but that has shifted somewhat. I would like Mr. Sharpe's views on how large gatherings in towns like Castlebar could be put together around different scales of events based on good planning and the involvement of local industry and professionals working together.

I compliment Mr. Fitzgerald and his colleagues on EPIC's ongoing work and campaigns to date. He mentioned in his opening statement that only 4% of supplier SMEs are eligible to access the Covid restrictions support scheme. As public representatives, we have had a great deal of engagement with audiovisual event business owners who are finding the situation really frustrating. These SMEs keep rural Ireland alive and the people involved are important professionals with a particular skill set. Will Mr. Fitzgerald comment on the experience of his members in this regard and his interaction with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment?

My final question is for Mr. Finn. He mentioned that the live performance support scheme may be oversubscribed. What would he like to see included in that scheme and how should it be administered?