Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What has happened is that people have heeded the advice they received from the CMO and the Government. They are reducing their social contacts and, as a result, they are cancelling bookings in restaurants and pubs, attendance at events in bars and travel. In many ways, that sector, which has been the worst, hardest and longest hit, is now, once again, taking a hit for the team. That is why we need to support it and it is why we will do so. I point out to the House, however, that the EWSS costs €400 million a month. It is the biggest intervention in the Irish economy since the bank guarantee. It is a much better one, by the way, but a huge one nonetheless. Most companies in receipt of the EWSS are not in the hospitality, entertainment, arts, events or aviation sectors. If we are going to do something, it needs to be targeted.

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