Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

Some people might have mistakenly thought that if they withheld rent or said they could not afford to pay it, it might encourage the Department to enter into talks with them. However, I know from experience that it usually has the reverse outcome. It is important to keep as many businesses open as possible. As the Minister said, the leases were entered into voluntarily at the time but circumstances have changed to a huge degree and I am glad the Minister recognises that. I ask that his officials engage with people on trying to get rid of these legacy issues.

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