Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I pay tribute to all the front-line workers and all those who have been working so hard over the past number of months. I express sympathy again to the family and friends of those who have passed way and those who have suffered throughout this pandemic and crisis.

Covid-19 has seen the decimation of many small businesses across the State, certainly across my constituency. I have been in contact with many of them over the past number of months since the initial shutdown and also as the guidelines changed and came out and we went into different phases. I am sure all Members will be aware of this. I am sure many of these businesses and similar ones in the Minister's constituency have been in touch with him time and again. They are terrified of what is to come. They are terrified at what has happened. They are afraid for their businesses, for their employees and for their employees' families and loved ones and how they will see their way through this. As the Minister will be aware, all of these business people work extremely hard to pay their bills, keep their businesses going, pay their employees and create local employment. Many of them have dug deep into their reserves financially, psychologically and emotionally to deal with the Covid-19 crisis, to reopen their businesses and to get their workers back to work so that they can also pay their bills. Some of the businesses that come to mind in my constituency include the gym that I go to, Ger Conroy Fitness, and a wonderful water babies group in the swimming pool in Junction 6. There is also a salt cave, which was a brand new business that had only opened in February. Those involved had put their heart and soul into it. These are people who had come to the country, had an idea and wanted to build a future in this country. I have seen many such businesses struggle with it.

The overarching theme I am getting from constituents is that there is confusion over the guidelines and that is what we need to get right. There is fear around how they can continue to open up and close down. That is what happened many of the businesses that have been in contact with me. I will mention as an example a café which is right next door to a bookies. The café is closed to people inside. They have tables outside to try and keep the business going and they offer a takeaway service, but the bookies next door has virtually no guidelines or rules. Up to 30 people are allowed in depending on the size. There are no names being taken. There is no rule on how long the customers can remain within. Two businesses are operating side by side under the same guidelines but there is confusion about why in one case, customers can stay all day if they wish because there are no rules to say that they cannot and in the other case, customers cannot even walk in the front door and have to stay outside. People are looking for clarity and an understanding of where they need to be. That is where we need to be in relation to moving forward.

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