Dáil debates

Wednesday, 6 May 2020

Covid-19 (Tourism): Statements

 

4:55 pm

Photo of Brendan GriffinBrendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

A conversation like this was unimaginable just a few short months ago, when we had almost 11 million visitors to the island last year. This is where we are, however.

It is important that a task force developing a plan have as much expertise but as few people as possible. The task force needs to be workable but at the same time it needs to have experience. My view is similar to that of Deputy Catherine Murphy in that the perspectives of the various parts of the industry need to be reflected. No part can operate without everybody working together so it is important that those on the front line be represented. These are discussions that are ongoing in the Department, including between both Ministers in the Department. It is important that we get this happening as quickly as possible and get as many heavy hitters in the group as possible because business worth billions of euro will be at stake over the coming years. The work of the task force and the subsequent plan are important in terms of the level of recovery we can achieve. I would like to see a group that acts well together but that is at the same time as representative as possible, comprising a broad cross-section of the industry.

That is what we have tried to do so far in the group we have already convened in this survival phase. We have tried to bring people in from the bed and breakfast sector as well as people representing coach tour operators, hotels, pubs, restaurants, the aviation sector and from a broad range of sections within the industry and I want to keep working on that.

As Deputy Catherine Murphy indicated, rates are a matter for a different Minister. I have been in contact with the Departments of Finance and Housing, Planning and Local Government about my feelings on rates. We cannot just leave local authorities high and dry. If local authorities are not collecting rates they will have to be compensated. The types of projects we discussed earlier such as greenways that we know will be integral to a future recovery plan cannot be jeopardised, as we will need them to act as catalysts for economic activity. We need appropriate economic activity in areas such as outdoor recreational infrastructure. These are the parts of the jigsaw that will have to slot together if we are to have a recovery plan that works. The discussions will be ongoing. I am very cognisant of the need for local authorities to be funded. As a former member of a local authority I know the money has to come from somewhere and if it is taken from one from source it must be replaced or cuts will be required to services or the type of infrastructure local authorities provide or service. In a recovery phase, that is the very last thing we should do. We need to stimulate activity, not do something that would halt it. The discussions will continue but I will advocate strongly for a fair deal for local authorities as a result of any much needed help that is given to people operating in the tourism and hospitality sector.

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