Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the Minister and congratulate her on the addition to her family.

I will also support the motion. It is very important to allow for outdoor dining. I must thank everyone who adapted during Covid to outside dining and drinking and everything that was put in place. We need the supports to stay in place and we also need additional supports.

The biggest problem for public houses, hotels and the hospitality sector is that extra staff are needed because things are so spread out. I ask that every person who is available to help out does so. The hospitality sector and a lot of other sectors need people to work and help out in order to provide breaks and do things safely.

I will support the motion. I again thank the hospitality sector. I thank An Garda Síochána for all the work its members have done. I thank everyone who has worked through the pandemic. Everyone is front line staff, including those in hospitality, because they are all there to help people for the betterment of life and so that everyone can enjoy themselves and be safe and healthy.

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