Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am happy to support the Order of Business. I welcome the €750 billion recovery fund at EU level to help with the Covid pandemic. It was a mammoth session in terms of meetings between member states that went on for an unscheduled day to show the seriousness and extent of the recovery package being promised. There was a significant win for Ireland in that it is to be calculated on how our country is hit by the pandemic and not on past economic performance. This will result in additional funding and supports for our country. We have all read in recent days that there were divergences of views, but such is the power of the European Union, by the end of it all there was consensus and an ability to agree a deal and to move forward, which is extremely positive.

It is worth highlighting that in order for Ireland to do well post-Covid or even during the recovery period, we need the European Union to do well. It is not just about what Ireland gets back; we are an exporting nation and we export what we manufacture, so it is important for us how well the European Union as a whole recovers. The package represents a really strong prospect that we will recover well but, more importantly, that we will recover quickly. I also wish to touch on the July stimulus package to be announced later today. Many of the details have been released already and we heard news of it yesterday and this morning. It is extremely positive that the pandemic unemployment payment and the temporary wage subsidy scheme will be extended. This gives assurance and comfort not only to businesses but also to employees who are in a vulnerable position at the moment. It must be worrying to be in a place where are one does not know if one’s job will continue, if one will lose one’s job in the near future and in what position one's family will be in the next number of months. The extension of these two schemes is very important and welcome. While this will cost a great deal of money, it will be worth it. There will also be enhanced restart payments for companies that want to reopen and additional funds to help such companies restart. There was an acknowledgement that while the restart grant was welcome, it fell a little short of what was needed. That scheme will be enhanced in the next while.

I particularly welcome the tax refund scheme. I know business argued for a VAT reduction but it is better for the economy and country to encourage people to get back out spending and to protect consumer confidence. If people get scared and worried, they will stop spending and we will be in bother if that happens. If businesses have footfall and people are coming in the doors of hotels, restaurants and cafés, that will help us to recover more substantially and faster. All in all, the package that will be announced will be positive and broadly welcomed.

There has been some confusion about the green list that was announced. The message remains clear - please do not travel unless it is essential. There is no ban on travel as such. That would not be practical. What we are asking people to do is to staycation and travel within Ireland. We are asking that they do not travel outside Ireland unless it is essential either to care for a family member or for work purposes.