Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Regional Group bringing this to the floor of the House. SMEs, particularly in rural and regional areas, are under significant pressures. Government policy decisions have increased the cost of doing business, with input costs such as energy inflation, insurance, labour and VAT increasing, making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to continue trading. This is particularly true for businesses in the hospitality, retail, travel, food, drink, tourism and entertainment sectors. I know that in County Kerry, which I am there to represent, the tourism capital of the western world, places such as Killarney and others around the Ring of Kerry, including great towns like Killorglin, Castlecove, Sneem, Caherdaniel and Kenmare are finding it increasingly difficulty. Many cafés, shops and restaurants have sadly closed. They have great businesspeople and great employees providing a great service, and unfortunately they had to shut their doors. I am disappointed that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in Kerry are asleep. I announce it in this House that they are asleep. Their political representation here is asleep. I am sorry to say that but I am saying it because I hear it every day from those businesspeople in County Kerry. They ask me what in the name of God the Government it is doing and why it is not doing something to keep their doors open. What the Government is doing is wrong. You are all asleep.

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