Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad of the opportunity to raise the PUP as pubs, restaurants and many businesses in Kerry have been closed down again since last night. I am glad to see Deputy Griffin is in the Chamber. County Kerry should not have been closed down at all, as our numbers are very low and there are many other counties that also have very low figures and which also should not have been closed. Since they have been, publicans and restaurant owners are now unable to trade. They will need support because they cannot live on the wind. There are hundreds of workers who are now unemployed this morning, when there was no need in the world for that. We all know that there is only so much in the well and the well will go dry. As I have said before, we do not have gold, oil or diamonds in this State. The only way we can keep the country going is by people working.

I appeal to the Minister and the Government to ensure that these people receive a proper payment and to restore the €350 payment which was available at the start. If it was needed in March, it is needed in September, October and even more as we go into the dark winter.

Owners of pubs, restaurants and other businesses have bank loans. The banks must be brought to heel and stall their demands for repayments. I worry that many businesses will not open. Many will not open or worry that in three or four weeks' time, when they switch on their lights again that the Government will just say, "Lads, off with ye again". It is harder to get going in the middle of winter than in the spring or early summer when there are some visitors coming to the county. Many of these pubs will never open again after being closed now. It was hard enough to open in September and then they only had two weeks before the Government closed them again. It is absolutely ridiculous. I appeal to the Government to talk to the banks and ensure no pressure is put on these people at this time. I am very worried about mental health and the psychological effect this will have on many people, even the customers. I appeal to the Government to address these matters.

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