Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before I get off the subject of transport, could I ask the Minister a couple of other questions on it? Will he consider supporting a VAT rate of 0% for the private bus and coach operators? I am aware that he has been lobbied on this. There is a VAT anomaly in respect of Northern Ireland, as he probably knows. He should give the operators a level playing field and allow them to have some revenue retention in terms of their business model.

Is the Minister working with the Department of Finance and the Department of Education and Skills on the issue of school buses returning?

Regarding the tourism recovery task force, will the Minister consider allowing a representative of the Coach Tourism and Transport Council of Ireland to be a member?

Let me move on to another area. I do not expect an answer now but I would appreciate a written one. The Minister recently provided €15 million for sea transport to the ferry operators. I understand the supports did not extend to some of the ferry operations with regard to the provision of services to facilitate the ports. Perhaps the Minister will respond to me detailing the expenditure heads and recipients of the funding.

On outdoor sport, we have been given a lift with the return this weekend and next week of Gaelic games, soccer and such sports. As a juveniles coach, I believe it is great news for kids and others involved. Maybe the Minister will indicate when he believes the clubs that depend on gate revenue will see spectators in attendance again.

May I highlight what has already been said in the House today regarding boxing? Everybody in this House and, I am sure, the public at large are appalled at the rebranding of a high-level member of an Irish drug cartel alleged to be involved in murder and serious crime as an international promoter of boxing renown. I hope the Minister's departmental officials are doing everything they can to liaise with the amateur boxing associations to make sure this gentleman and his contacts are not liaising with our amateur boxers or acting as agents for them. We should certainly be making a very principled stand on that.

With regard to tourism and hospitality, we heard from Dr. David Nabarro of the WHO this morning. It appeared to have been suggested with regard to bar food and restaurant servings that a large component will have to involve self-service. Can the Minister say anything on the economic planning that might give comfort to the many thousands of small business owners and employers in the tourism and hospitality sector?

Sun holidays look unviable for many this year. Has the Minister's Department considered any significant communications campaign to try to highlight the idea of Irish staycations and to build support for buy-Irish and stay-in-Ireland campaigns for the tourism sector this year?

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