Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would like to join others in wishing the Minister well on the birth of her child. I wish her and her family the very best.

I should say that I have a conflict of interest here because I have two brothers working in the pub industry, one in Bandon and one in Bantry. That helps me when I am speaking here on behalf of businesses because they and others have gone through quite a great deal over the past year and a half to two years. I support the extension of this Act for six more months to allow outdoor drinking where seating areas will be permitted. This was a good move. I thank the local authorities and I am grateful for any Government funding that was put towards it. I thank An Garda Síochána for its co-operation in this matter. It meant that publicans could open their doors. I have to commend each and every publican in west Cork because all the pubs and restaurants I have gone into are abiding by the rules 100%. They are doing everything to the best of their abilities to keep their doors open, which is a difficult task at this time. They have run top-class businesses in west Cork right through this pandemic. When they were allowed to open, they met this opportunity and give it full support.

I sympathise with the owners of the many businesses that do not have indoor facilities. They have also come up to the mark and are to be commended. They may need financial supports in order to continue.

See this speech in context