Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I did refer to the acknowledgement of the support of the Government during Covid; that was made very clear to me.

The Tánaiste stated that most businesses are doing well. I am not so sure that is the case. I think a lot of businesses are on the brink. They are running out of working capital and contingency. While that may not be apparent in the figures that we have currently, it is actually happening on the ground. The Tánaiste spoke about the fact that most businesses spend 5% to 10% of their outgoing on energy costs. However, for independent food retailers energy costs are the second highest after wages. That sector is hit so much harder by increasing energy costs. The Tánaiste talked about long-term schemes that are available, but when your back is to the wall and you have no working capital, a long-term scheme - good and all as they may be - is not as attractive as it might sound in better times. Short-term measures need to be looked at now.

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