Dáil debates

Wednesday, 4 November 2020

Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

 

1:10 pm

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government waived commercial rates on such businesses for all of this year, and we have also introduced an unprecedented set of measures to support businesses during this global pandemic. These are difficult circumstances indeed for such businesses, particularly when we are in level 5. I refer to the high level of restrictions in place as a result of moving to that level, which is designed to get the virus incidence and case numbers way down so we can reopen the economy and society more fully. It is something on which we are continuing to focus.

That is why, for example, we wanted to be scrupulously fair to small retailers by ensuring that multiples could not continue to trade in what have been termed non-essential items while smaller business were closed. People started picking holes in that approach as well, however, in respect of undermining that strategy. I have noticed, across the board, that people want us to relax every single measure in isolation. If we do all that, collectively we will end up with no level 5, level 4 or even level 3 for that matter. It is a challenging position for people to be in, unfortunately, but we are doing everything we can to help small businesses.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.