Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response on the state of play nationally, as well as in my constituency. I ask him to consider to consider a situation that has arisen in recent weeks. I received a representation from a hotel in my constituency. Unfortunately, many hotels, restaurants and pubs cannot meet the payment demands of suppliers. Yes, they are gladly availing of the schemes the Minister mentioned, such as the temporary wage subsidy scheme, rates breaks and the Covid restrictions support scheme, but they still have many issues in respect of bank and lending repayments because of liens against properties. It appears to restrict banks in approving or granting funds under the Government's guarantee scheme, which it had been hoped would be used to assist in the payment of suppliers. However, as a result of them not being able to access those funds, this is leaving them at a loss as well. It is an anomaly that sees some businesses, and definitely suppliers, exposed. I ask the Minister to consider a similar scheme to the one he alluded to earlier for suppliers to this sector.

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