Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the debate and the Covid restriction support scheme. In my constituency, 820 businesses have benefited thus far, to the tune of €7.9 million, while nationally, notwithstanding the points made during the debate, more than 19,500 businesses are receiving supports worth €221 million. I come from a Border county, which is suffering greatly as a result of Covid and of the issue I wish to raise, namely, that the scheme does not extend to all businesses in the area.

Carlingford Lough Ferry operates out of Carlingford and crosses the bay every day. The ferry commenced operation in 2017 with a €10 million private investment, €2.5 million of which was invested in fixtures at Greenore, which included the construction of a reinforced slipway, fenders, car parking facilities and an office. It is impossible for the business to operate without utilising its fixed premises at Greenore. Since 2017, the business has carried more than 147,000 vehicles and more than 497,000 people across Carlingford Lough. It is at an early stage of growth and has a bright future but it needs urgent help.

As a cross-Border service, it is finding it increasingly difficult to access supports. It is deemed ineligible for the Brexit loan scheme even though the company has been significantly impacted by Brexit, and obviously, Covid has devastated tourism in the Carlingford area. The company is fighting hard and taking all the actions it can to survive the impact of both Covid and Brexit. I ask the Minister to seriously reconsider the issue. The company believes that one of the problems relates to the additional €55 million the Government has allocated for tourism to deal with this issue, which will be administered by Fáilte Ireland. Its understanding - I hope it is not a fact - is that the same criteria will apply to companies such as the Carlingford Lough Ferry and that, therefore, it will not be successful in its application for funding.

I welcome the fact the Minister is listening to this debate and I welcome the Tánaiste's comments about change but it is essential that this business be supported. It is genuine and it has spent the money. It employs people, and while it is now obviously a significantly reduced business, it is the type of business we will need in the Border area once Covid is gone and restrictions are lifted, and to fight the impact of Brexit. Companies like Carlingford Lough Ferry need to get the CRSS. It is entitled to it and it has made the investment. It is not a hide-and-seek company; it is there and it is a considerable boon to the local economy.

On tourism, I have been approached by a tourism counsellor, that is, somebody who operates a tourism business but whose role is not customer facing. Notwithstanding that such persons may get the pandemic unemployment payment, their businesses cannot survive without additional supports. I urge the Minister to examine that issue also.

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