Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will certainly get the Deputy a written reply, which is not a problem. She is probably aware that many of the restrictions for hotels, restaurants and others in the tourism industry have been moved from one phase to the next, and that was a direct response to the sort of comment she made. It is also a direct response to some intensive and effective representations made by the hotel industry and restaurateurs, and to us realising that the tourism industry employs so many people that we have to acknowledge the difficulties it is in.

There will be problems and they are not going to be sorted overnight.

We talked about the aviation task force today, to an unwarranted extent because it is not actually relevant to the subject we are talking about. The task force on tourism, which we set up a couple of weeks ago, reacted promptly and enthusiastically to its mandate and with regard to its demands. It reported within a week stating what it wanted. It had a fairly decisive effect and certainly influenced what was happening last week when the phases were changed. The Deputy should not think we are not conscious of that. The tourism industry, as with the aviation industry, is so important. They are equally important in keeping the country going. The industry was paralysed a few weeks ago and there was an assumption that there would be no tourism here this year at all. That is what everybody, including tourism groups and some of the agencies, was saying. Now, at least, they are talking more optimistically about opening up and about staycations. The problem has moved to the questions of why people cannot come from abroad and when we will be able to go abroad. This involves a different focus on the problems people have. We have been and will be absolutely determined to ensure the hotels and restaurants, and any other outlets in the industry, will not be closed for any longer than they should be. We have acknowledged the difficulty and responded. The tourism industry has responded quite well also. I take the Deputy’s point that it is not going to be perfect, but we are on the way.

Deputy Catherine Murphy asked whether there is something obstructing local authorities from delivering from the funds. There is no obstruction that I know of but I will certainly inquire to see if there is one.

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