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

It was a great place. In fairness, 50% is fine but you have to look at nightclubs in a bigger way. Given that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has had her budget cut here today, it does not look like there will be much out there. The musicians are struggling at this time too. People were playing in pubs and so on and it is no longer viable for the publican to hire the musician. That is what is happening in the constituency I represent. People would be delighted to hear me raising this issue and we would not be boring any other people who are inside here in the Dáil. I would say that 50% is fine but it is only 50 quid. You need to look at this further and consider better support packages for people who have nightclubs but also for publicans who are struggling at this time as many are. They create a huge amount of employment. Many publicans could be employing anything up to five or ten people part time or full time. That is incredible employment in a rural town or village. They need the supports. They have not recovered since Covid to be quite honest. That is what the rural publicans tell me. Like other Deputies, I have used their premises and am pleased to do so. I thank so many of them. I could use 15 of their premises during weekends, anywhere from Castletownbere to Kinsale, for clinics. I am happy to do so and people are delighted to have the opportunity to meet me in those pubs. We need further supports so that they can go forward.

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