Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When he stands up to respond, will the Taoiseach tell us when the two errors in respect of the calculated grades came to light? I know this news will be deeply concerning to students across the land and it seems quite something that errors of this magnitude have occurred but I would like to know when the Government first discovered them.

Can the Taoiseach confirm which Departments and organisations have been consulted as part of this high level review and who within the Department of the Taoiseach is heading up this important work? It is clear that the consultative aspect of the review's work is important because whole sections of the domestic economy will face unique challenges in the months and years ahead. As the Taoiseach knows, uncertainty is not the friend of any business. There are sectors within the domestic economy that are blocked from trading because of public health restrictions and the acting Chief Medical Officer has warned of ongoing restraints for the next six to nine months.

Government is assuming a certain level of resilience for micro and small businesses in the next 12 months that does not reflect the reality for many of them. These local businesses employ over 1 million people. Hospitality and local pubs are the typical employers on which many communities rely for employment. These are not just places of social interaction, they are vital employers and stimuli for local economies. Taxi drivers are another sector of workers who are at the end of their tether. Many do not have the financial reserves necessary to manage the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET’s, projected uncertainty despite their viability in normal times. What voice do these businesses have at the Government's high level review of the economy?

I also want to note the legitimate and real frustrations and concerns of the commercial events sector. I met with representatives of the event production industry Covid, EPIC, working group last week. It estimates that the commercial events sector accounts for 90% of the 5 million event tickets sold in Ireland each year and it directly contributes over €3.5 billion to the national economy. It is an industry that is ready to go but this readiness will not last forever. Will the Taoiseach give a concrete commitment to include EPIC in the consultative process of the high level review?

I noted that the Government dealt with the matter of ticket touting at Cabinet yesterday after a long time of those of us on this side of the House advocating and producing legislation on that matter. I could not but be struck by the irony that the Government was dealing with matters of ticket touting, as real as those concerns are, at a time when there are no gigs, concerts or matches.

I invite the Taoiseach to turn his attention to and engage with EPIC members and the industry as these people are finding it very difficult. There is a real danger that this very lucrative and important part of our economy will be permanently damaged unless the Government intervenes directly.

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