Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The country released a collective sigh of relief on Friday last as the first real signs of normality began to emerge. Covid is not yet in the rear-view mirror but there is certainly a public feeling that it has moved to the side view. However, we must be cautious and vigilant against the threat of the Indian strain. The road to recovery opens ahead. It is time to revitalise and repair and, in many cases, it is time to rescue and renew.

Looking back at where we stood in the first quarter of 2020, Ireland is now a very different place. In addition to enduring the wrath of Covid restrictions and lockdowns, we must also factor in the changes to our economy that have taken place as a result of Brexit. To an undetermined extent, the full impact of Brexit has been masked by Covid. In this context, the damage caused by Brexit and its long-term consequences had to be factored into the programme for recovery and resilience. However, in terms of our resilience, the true fallout from Brexit will be such that restoring any equilibrium that existed prior to the UK’s departure from Europe should be an entirely separate issue. Brexit could have greater long-term consequences for Ireland than Covid. While the two hit in tandem and we hope that Covid will pass, Brexit is here to stay.

Throughout the pandemic, a lot has changed in businesses across the country. Technology has not just been more widely embraced but it is now a way of life for more people than ever before. Online trading, click and collect, virtual meetings and consultations, and online shopping are the future for businesses. Smart working has become the new normal. Initially, this meant existing staff working from home for health and safety reasons but, now, it means that employers realise that their talent base does not need to be within the catchment area of their business. Employers can now cast their net much further afield. Working from home will remain the choice of many, even when businesses are fully reopened.

Many businesses will also choose to continue using this smart working model. With the increased emphasis on climate action, it will assist in reducing our carbon footprint by keeping commuters off the roads. It will make living outside large urban areas more attractive and spread the urgent need for additional housing across the country, thereby making delivery of housing units more achievable.

We have an obligation to ensure that high-speed broadband is rolled out rapidly to every corner of our small country. Progress is being made on broadband services throughout the country but, as we emerge from the pandemic, significant provision in budgeting must be continued to ensure that a lack of service is not a deterrent to recovery in any area of our country.

Lack of competition and bank closures have been a major blow to the business community across rural Ireland. The Regional Group's call to review the option of establishing a State-supported community bank has gone unanswered. The threat that has been looming over post offices is now a reality. Unrestrained closures are now on the cards and, as members of the Irish Postmasters’ Union gather for urgent talks, work stoppages are a real possibility.

Regions outside the country’s cities and large towns have suffered enormously throughout this pandemic. As well as the business and retail closures that impacted everywhere, regional Ireland has lost all tourism and its associated revenue. It will take our smaller towns and villages much longer to claw their way back from the economic ravages of Covid.

This national recovery and resilience plan must have a major focus on regional and rural Ireland, in fact, it must be the priority. If that does not happen there will be an unbalanced recovery, which is second only to no recovery at all.

See this speech in context