Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. This is all about flexibility. I am not sure what stage the Minister's negotiations are at, but if she tells me she is willing to show that flexibility and find solutions for people who are in different but awful situations, I am happy to take her at her word.

My last point is more of a comment, since I still have two minutes left, about some issues that were raised by my colleague, Deputy O'Donoghue, a few moments ago. The Minister responded about the €6 billion in loans that are being given to small businesses. Not all small businesses paid rates last year. For example, a school bus operator may well not have paid rates last year. How does that operator make the necessary adjustments to a bus without any assistance? Is there anything in the pipeline or in existence for companies that did not pay rates but which need to make adjustments to be ready when their phase of exiting the lockdown comes?

The other issue relates to businesses which have lost 25% or more of their turnover and can apply for different loans or grants. A small number of businesses have probably lost only 15%, 20% or 22% of their turnover and while that is good news for them, it nonetheless means that their profitability has gone through the floor. They may be just holding on but may not be making any money. Many of them are holding on to their employees. I know it is hard to taper off that kind of benefit to companies, but could anything be done on a sliding scale? If we are in this together, then we should try to be fair to everybody. I ask the Minister to keep those two things in mind.

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