Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As we start to emerge from the height of the Covid crisis, there is a certain relief in the tourism and aviation sectors, both hard hit by the public health measures necessary to stop the spread of the virus. Both sectors were very badly hit by those restrictions and it will take a long time for them to recover and to regain ground lost.

In my constituency in north Kildare, I saw at first hand the financial and psychological crisis people found themselves in as diaries, rooms and venues were closed, amenities were locked up, theatres stayed dark and musical instruments were quiet. Pilots and aviation crew were hit especially hard in a sector that, historically, was somewhat insulated from economic shocks and extreme worry about how to pay mortgages and college fees and keep the whole family show on the road. Like Deputy Lahart, I did not realise there were so many people in my constituency working in the aviation sector. As a new Deputy who is not a member of the parties in government, I was acutely aware that, often, all we could offer people in these sectors was to fight on their behalf for an extension of State supports and to be kind in the face of extreme suffering.

In domestic terms, the Government's stay-and-spend tax rebate was a flop, with virtually no impact as a much-needed stimulus in the sector. Sinn Féin's proposal to give a €200 voucher to every adult and a €100 voucher to every child in the State to spend in the sectors affected made much more sense and was more equitable. Giving vouchers to citizens would provide the much-needed money and stimulus for the sectors. It is a clever way of supporting businesses by funnelling the money through families and spreading some joy after a very dark period. There seems to be confusion on the part of the Government as to what will be offered in this regard, but the Minister said last week that it might be going ahead.

The Government's plan to reopen society at full capacity from 22 October, which will have a revitalising impact on the relevant sectors, is very welcome. I look forward to welcoming our returning overseas visitors safely to north Kildare, where we have a magnificent tourism offering, including accommodation and hospitality, as part of Ireland's Ancient East. Every second business in my home town, Maynooth, seems to be a restaurant. One will find a welcome like no other there.

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