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

I thank the Minister of State. There is still a lot of goodwill out there and it is crucial that we harness it. The people best placed to harness it are the Government in the decisions it makes and local Deputies and politicians in trying to support communities. We have to make sure it happens and it is real in order that when people get up tomorrow and the day after they can see it is happening. This is in the context of extra public services such as transport.

I am specifically asking about supports for business. I heard what the Minister of State said about a higher budget for marketing. That is good but we also need to look at those areas that are hardest hit and there are a number of them. We need to focus on some of them. Rosses Point is not the only one in my constituency but it is the one I am discussing this evening. One person at the meeting said people need to know that Rosses Point is open for business. The only way this can happen is if we have specifically focused marketing actions to make sure people have that message.

The Minister of State mentioned the TBESS. Of course all businesses get that. It is in the context of the escalating cost of energy. We need something more focused than this. That scheme is for everybody but we have to recognise the specific issues I am speaking about. I hope the 9% VAT rate will be maintained. This is important for businesses and I hope there is no cliff edge.

I speak, as does the Minister of State, to many people about this issue. People are willing to help and want to help. One man from the RNLI spoke about the fact there are several hundred people who have never seen the sea and do not know there are dangerous currents. From such a simple issue as this to supporting businesses, communities need to know we are on their side.

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