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

The implication was there in that polemic, but that is far from the case. I invite the Deputy to come to Cork and have a walk down a few streets in Cork, and he will see some great outdoor dining going on. I was in Dublin yesterday and called to a number of venues. People were in a very happy mood, dining outdoors, having a few drinks outdoors, engaging in a friendly way, and thankful, happy and appreciative of the fact they were able to participate in outdoor dining. We can overplay this as well.

That said, any issues that need to be resolved will be resolved through legal instrument. There has been no question but that the opening up in terms of outdoor dining and hospitality has worked, has been working and has been effective. We will continue, particularly with the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, to the end of the year, to do everything we possibly can to make sure the hospitality sector can emerge viable out of the pandemic. That is why, in terms of VAT, for example, in the economic recovery plan we made very specific commitments out to September 2022, and we also made specific commitments in terms of rates relief, which is of value to many people working in the hospitality sector. We are very clear in terms of the recovery plan that for those sectors that were hit hardest by Covid, we will do everything we possibly can to support them throughout the pandemic but also as we emerge from the pandemic, with all the twists and turns that can happen and that can take place. From our perspective, we want to ensure the successful reopening of hospitality. To date, I think, outdoor hospitality has worked relatively well. As I have said, any legal instrument that is required to deal with the situation that emerged in the last 48 hours will be provided.

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