Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We all watch with pride the decrease in the number of reported cases of Covid-19 and we look forward to coming out of level 5. I am conscious that we must have a Christmas that is as normal as possible after the year we have all had. Will the Government look at how we can safely provide a way for the selling of real Christmas trees, which is a sustainable industry in Ireland? The Taoiseach knows Christmas trees are sold throughout the country from various outlets, including casual trading, filling station forecourts and hardware stores. I know in some places people can choose a tree from a grower's premises.

More than 400,000 Christmas trees are harvested annually for the Irish export market, providing great value for the local and national economy. This week I have had several phone calls from growers seeking to know the guidelines in this context. There will be seven weeks to Christmas from next Friday. This is a seasonal market and the growers are worried. They do not want to go against the guidelines for level 5 but which of those apply to sellers of Christmas trees? It is important that we make Christmas special this year, particularly after the year we have had.

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