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

I thank the Minister for her reply. Many of the hotels in west Cork are closed at present due to energy costs and overheads. Those who are not housing refugees, and many hotels in west Cork do not, cannot afford to open their doors. I am pleading on their behalf. I see that they are closed Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. It is an astonishing situation we find ourselves in. It is spread across cafés and pubs. They are not opening their doors. Something is wrong. The Minister stated she is putting help for energy costs in place until 28 February 2023. The costs will still be there. A gentleman with a business contacted me recently who said his electricity bill for two months was €13,000. His profits from last year will pay that bill but he was shuddering in fear about the next bill coming in the door. What are businesses doing now? They are shutting their doors. They will not open the door. It is shocking for west Cork and other places in dire trouble and in need. I plead with the Minister to continue the TBESS and to put further measures in place to enable them at least to open their doors during the week.

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