Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

All supports, including the CRSS, will be considered. I am a strong advocate for the sector and this is reflected every time the Taoiseach makes an announcement. I reflect that the sector needs supports. I am a very strong advocate and voice for the sector and it knows it from its engagement with me. As I said earlier in reply to other members, the Tánaiste and I will meet the tourism and hospitality sectors in May. We have brought in the Taoiseach to hear their concerns. I asked for recommendations on the supports to be on the agenda for the meeting that the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and I attended. I felt it was also essential for the Taoiseach to hear them. The Deputy can be sure I am a loud advocate for the sector.

Reopening is dependent on public health conditions. It is about the public health advice and the case numbers, hospitalisations, vaccinations and variants of concern. I am anxious for the sectors to reopen but we want them to do so as soon as it is safe.

With regard to the stay and spend scheme, when the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, launched it he did not foresee the stop-start nature of the pandemic and how it led to the scheme being completely underutilised. As I said in reply to previous speakers, I am in favour of a scheme that gives an essential boost to the industry. Everything should be considered by the Government.