Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, I welcome the suite of measures that have come on stream to support businesses emerging from the Covid crisis. The measures are generic and broadly speaking do not address the fundamental threat which will be to rural Ireland, which undoubtedly faces the greatest threat in a post-Covid era. A report from the three regional assemblies has highlighted that among the eight counties with the greatest potential impact from Covid are both Longford and Westmeath with 2,700 jobs potentially at risk.

The Covid crisis comes fresh on the heels of Brexit and that is a fear that has not gone away. The counties now grappling with the commercial reality of a post-Covid era are the same ones that were staring into the abyss at the prospect of a no-deal Brexit.

Covid has hastened the pressure on many businesses. Although corner shops and village filling stations have enjoyed something of a purple patch, there has been a massive shift to online shopping. There is no doubt that a general reluctance to hurry back into retail and hospitality settings will make it very difficult for many rural businesses to return. For big bars in Dublin, it might be an issue of whether they will get away with restricting numbers to a few hundred when they reopen, but the reality for many rural bars is whether it will be worth their while opening their doors.

Small businesses need the start-up scheme, grants, wage subsidies and a break on rates. Most of all, they need the money to come on stream quickly. In that regard, I welcome the announcement today by the Minister that a memorandum to be released tomorrow will set out the detail of the business restart scheme. I hope it will come in time for businesses that hope to reopen on Monday morning but are still unsure how they will make all the bills add up.

There is a belt of rural counties, including my own county of Longford as well as counties Leitrim, Westmeath, Roscommon and Cavan, which need the greatest support of all. I am conscious that we are in the throes of Government formation talks and much is made of balanced regional development and investment. How this House targets supports for businesses and communities in a Covid recovery era will truly define the sincerity of the House and all parties herein with regard to rural Ireland.

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