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

What we seek to achieve in Kerry is a diverse and balanced economy. That means investment in tourism - the county is hugely successful in that regard already - food production, energy, public services and FDI. The county has shown what an attractive place it can be for FDI and for major companies such as Liebherr and Fexco. We anticipate seeing further investment in Tralee during the course of this Government's term of office. That is probably the best approach for the county. Just as Ireland needs a diverse economy that does not put all our eggs in one basket, the same applies at county level. That is the strategy for Kerry.

The Deputy has been in touch with me quite often about the tourism industry and the impact the recent restrictions will have on the hospitality sector. He may be aware that the Government announced this morning that the best solution is to restore the employment wage subsidy scheme, EWSS, to the full amount, a return to the November rates, for the duration of December and January. I know that will be welcomed because the Deputy has advocated for that. We had hoped to do something more targeted with the Covid restrictions support scheme, but when we tried this it proved too complicated, so we decided to do it across the board.

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