Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. I will start with the pubs. I have a vested interest as I have family members who are publicans. There are mixed views on this and it is probably not something to get involved in this evening. With regard to the tourism element, and I was formerly a Minister of State with responsibility for tourism, it plays a major role in the economy of the country. It is in every part of the country. It is for that reason and for the SME sector, in particular, that instruments of this nature are so important. Europe is responding to a pandemic that has affected the tourism industry not only in Deputy Healy-Rae's and my constituencies but all around the Mediterranean and elsewhere. It relates to industries such as that.

Deputy Healy-Rae is also correct about the July stimulus. It is the Government's intention to put a great deal of money into circulation through a variety of methods, such as through addressing the temporary wage subsidy scheme, which people want to see addressed, through grants and ensuring that the maximum amount of money can be released as well as through the credit guarantee scheme. With regard to the demands that exist, and both Deputies referred to this, approximately €80 billion in demands have been clocked up from the various sectoral interests in respect of the July stimulus, so there will inevitably be disappointment. However, it must be looked at in the round. The Government has already put €13 billion into the pandemic response, which is approximately 7.5% of our national wealth. That is mid-table from a European point of view and the fact that this is a small country must be acknowledged as well. The Government did so through the pandemic unemployment payment and the temporary wage subsidy scheme initially and we have said there are other measures we are prepared to consider. On top of that we gave an additional €2 billion directly for health, which Deputies voted through the House in the last week or so, to ensure we had coverage there.

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