Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle might tell me if Deputy Michael Healy-Rae arrives in the Chamber, as we will share the remaining time otherwise.

The PUP must be reinstated. We came through a great deal in the first stage. People have put their shoulders to the wheel, ní neart go cur le chéile, and worked hard but with the change in Government and the consequent hand over, the ball was dropped. Now we are back in level 3, which could have been level 5 as we saw on Sunday night. Some say it may as well have been level 5, because it means utter devastation for business people, for ordinary people and workers.

There is health advice from NPHET from experts, which we should take, but the Government has to take the economy into account as well as people's mental and physical health. Many procedures have been put off and we should consider the number of people who are dying or will die because they have not had the proper checks, cancer screenings and so on over several months. There are blockages in the hospitals and a lack of throughput.

Then there are students, who were forced back to college in September, two weeks ago. They had to pay their accommodation and fees and then one evening they were told that they would get their lectures at home. They have signed contracts. A parent was speaking to me half an hour ago who had signed a nine month contract. We must do something about that.

Deputy Michael Collins mentioned the €69 billion bailout to the banks, which was astonishing and we will pay for it, as will our grandchildren, but this situation is serious damaging to people, families and people's ability to pay. The decision to apply level 3 from midnight last night will have an impact on the businesses that have reopened and those which were trying to get off their knees, dust themselves down and work. These businesses are the enablers in our economy as well as community groups. Community gardaí did good work too. The PUP must return to €350 and remain at that. People cannot live on the wind. They need a modicum of income because they have families and bills. Businesses that have closed still have utility bills to pay during this time. They get no mercy from the banks, insurance companies or from the vulture funds if they have slipped into those areas. Unlike other European countries, we have brought in no legislation to deal with the banks and insurance. We could do it with the stroke of a pen if the will was there but the Government does not have the will to do it. It must tackle insurance and the banks and have the moratorium extended. It is totally unfair to throw these people under the bus. Our economy will not recover. The mental health of our people will not recover.

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