Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I too urge those companies who have not yet engaged to engage very quickly and not to adopt a wait-and-see approach. Further clarity would be welcome from the Minister in the coming weeks about what it is he intends to do in terms of greater flexibility, as he described it.

There is a balancing act here as well. Where liabilities fall due, businesses ought to pay those liabilities to Revenue. It is interesting to note as well – I am sure the Minister will be conscious of this when he considers how he approaches it – that, for example, the treatment of liabilities of PAYE workers under the PUP and wage subsidy schemes was obviously very different. The option there was either to repay it in full or have their tax credits reduced over a number of years. There is a balance to be struck in paying the money back but also ensuring that we do not get into a situation where there is a significant number of insolvencies. One way has come to my attention whereby the Minister could assist the hospitality sector.

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