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

I agree they are operating very well and they are to be admired for it. However, as I said earlier to Deputy Griffin, I cannot give a definitive response on the pandemic and the twists and turns it will take, nor is there any ambition to impose any further restrictions at present. We have to wait and assess the impact of the changes introduced last week and the consistent messaging around individual behaviour. I am, of course, hugely sensitive to the impact of this on live performances in all the venues the Senator has mentioned. As I said earlier, we will not be found wanting in regard to supports. There is the €25 million that was ring-fenced in budget 2022 and there is the money in the Covid fund mentioned by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Michael McGrath. It will come through him and the Minister for Finance, Deputy Donohoe, if needs be. We have them open and I want to keep them open and I want them to be viable. I hope that is the case. If that does not happen, I can assure the Senator they will receive the supports they need. Let us hope we can turn this around.