Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Government continues to seek to preserve our well-being by adopting a flexible and informed approach to restrictions and relaxations and by maintaining key protective measures that will enable individuals and their families to participate more fully in society.

I thank Deputy Naughten, who I believe has left the Chamber, for wishing me well in my role as Minister of State. He talked about the temporary wage subsidy scheme and rates bills regarding the restart grants.He stated an issue arises regarding the online trading vouchers in that they are not available to the hospitality sector. I will raise that with the Minister. The development of an app to help the hospitality sector is a quite good idea. Maybe trading vouchers could be used online in this regard. I am not sure why it was not included but I will raise it with the Minister also.

Deputy Pringle said people cannot go to football matches and that the issue is causing concern around the country. I hope it will be addressed sooner rather than later. All the sports organisations are trying to be proactive and to work with the Government and various stakeholders to ensure people can attend sports events.

Deputy Connolly talked about the seriousness of the situation and outlined her concerns about the meat factories and way in which people in direct provision and the over-70s were treated. I take the point on board. The Deputy also referred to wet pubs and dry pubs. I had never heard of a wet pub or a dry pub.

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