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

I hear what the Minister said. He has to look after the money, as it were. We already know from many businesses that they are in trouble. The Minister knows that in his constituency, as I do in mine, businesses are closing. A very well-known butcher in Sligo closed one of its shops yesterday. They said it was because of increased electricity and operational costs. They are just one of many. We know now it is not going to be enough. I know the Minister has certain constraints around state aid rules, but is there any flexibility or anything else he can put in place to help businesses that are struggling? It is not just the huge increase in energy costs; it is the cumulative increase. We know that public liability insurance costs are still far too high. I support the increase in the minimum wage, but it adds significantly to the costs of businesses, which are cumulative.

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