Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is really very much up to the task force. Once we have made the appointments, it is up to it to do what it can and, presumably, invite people in.

There is always a large number of bodies that feel they should be represented when we set up these groups. It is a very good group that the Deputy suggests but there are other people on the body who can represent those interests very adequately.

On Brexit, I think the cross-Border bus service can and will continue without any Brexit deal. We had all the arrangements for buses and the Enterprise train service in place and ready last time for a no-deal Brexit and I presume they persist. I cannot speak to what will happen in December or the months to come but those provisions will be ready if a no-deal scenario emerges. I will revert to the Deputy on the ferry operators and any other questions he asked.

I will comment on the staycations and the tourist and hospitality sector before bringing in the Minister of State, Deputy Griffin. The outlook for staycations is far better than it was six weeks or even three weeks ago. There is a great impetus for people to open and they are doing so. Six weeks or five weeks ago people were not looking forward to holidays here at all and it was said that tourism was dead but there is life in the tourism industry as a result of the lifting of restrictions.

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