Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to see the Bill proceeding through the Dáil today. It will be important as we look to kick-start our economy in a Covid-19 era. The Bill will enable the distribution of low-cost loans to many businesses affected by the global pandemic. That will be a great help.

Equally important and as significant as those low-cost loans will be the July stimulus programme. It will include a suite of measures and supports to aid the Irish public and hospitality sectors. Those supports and incentives need to be decisive and strong. The reality is the pub sector in particular has suffered adversely throughout this crisis. We have to acknowledge the great contribution made by publicans. Let us think back to early March. Many of our rural and country publicans led by example. They put their hands up first and said they were closing their bars in the national interest, in the interests of public health and, more importantly, in the interest of the welfare of their local communities. They did so ahead of any talk about a national lockdown. They did so prior to any talk about Covid-19 payments. They did so ahead of any talk about a business restart. They were completely selfless. The broad cohort of publicans have behaved admirably throughout this crisis.

It is fair and reasonable to say that as of now publicans are angry and frustrated. Their eagerly awaited reopening has been delayed. It is understandable and correct that the public health advice has been that we should delay the reopening. However, it is incumbent on the House, specifically in respect of the July incentive package which will be unveiled later this week, to deliver clear, meaningful and strong incentives to encourage as many publicans as possible to come back to the fold.

The reality is that, owing to Covid-19 social distancing guidelines, public health requirements and, unfortunately, a general downturn in the economic viability of the pub sector as a result of Covid-19, many of our pubs will not reopen. Everyone in the House is well aware of the significance and importance of the community pub to rural Ireland as well as the importance of the traditional pub to our tourism model. That is why it is so important that we need to see strong and meaningful support from the House this week. We need a business incentive scheme to encourage as many of our rural pubs as possible to reopen on 10 August.

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