Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Can the Government consider the creation of a new bank holiday at the end of September as a boost to the tourism and hospitality sector? I welcome the announcements that were made recently on reopening and I hope, as the momentum around the vaccine roll-out grows, that we will see further easing of restrictions in the sector. Once children go back to school next September, we will see a major fall-off in the domestic market. I, therefore, believe a bank holiday at the end of September would be very helpful.

In Kerry, of course, we have had a bank holiday at the end of September when we have won the all-Ireland but we have not had one for a few years. This year such a bank holiday would be very welcome and would be a big boost to the industry. If it works well this year, perhaps we could look at one next year as well. Of all years, it is very much needed this year.

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