Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will be sharing my time with Senator Lisa Chambers. Cuirim fáilte ar ais go dtí an Teach roimh an Aire.

I would like to thank the Minister for outlining the Bill before us this afternoon. There is no doubt that we live in strange times. This piece of legislation underlines that again if it needed to be underlined. I can say on behalf of the Fianna Fáil group that we are happy to support the legislation this afternoon. I anticipate and sincerely hope that the number of times this legislation will be used will be minimal. The Minister has said the same. It is important to note that the vast majority of the people of this State have done themselves and the country proud in how they reacted to this pandemic. When talking about licensed premises it is important to acknowledge the fact that owners of what are now commonly known as "wet pubs" have had to keep their doors closed for the last six months. They and, by extension, their families have paid a price. The financial and mental impact of having to keep their doors closed has been serious. It is important to acknowledge the great sacrifice they have made, and in that regard I am delighted that they will be allowed to open their doors again from 21 September. That is not coming a day too soon.

I note also that the restart grant and restart grant plus schemes were made available to publicans. More recently a top-up scheme was announced by the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Varadkar, whereby 40% of the restart grant plus will be made available to help publicans reopen their premises. I have been in contact with my own local authority in Monaghan. It is still awaiting directions from the Department on the administration of that funding. I would like to bring that to the Minister's attention and ask for it to be expedited. I understand that the local authorities are ready to write cheques, but they need criteria from the Department.I respectfully ask that this would be fast-tracked as soon as possible because work will have to be done between now and 21 September.

It is also important to acknowledge the role the Garda has played during this pandemic over the past six months. From what I witnessed and from speaking to people, both gardaí and members of the public, it has been an opportunity for the Garda to reconnect with many communities. That has been welcomed by the communities and by the gardaí. Yes, the gardaí are stopping people on the road, but it is an advisory role and it is an opportunity for gardaí to have a conversation with people. That has gone down very well. The gardaí tell me that they are now operating on a 12-hour shift, which has allowed a greater number of gardaí to be on the streets during peak hours. From what I have detected, that has proved to be a great success. There are large numbers operating and the shifts have been changed to accommodate that. In my view, it has been a success. I ask the Minister to be cognisant of that. The 12-hour shift has facilitated an opportunity for more gardaí to be on the streets at the times they are needed. I would certainly like to see that continue if the majority of the Garda representative bodies was in favour of it.

The other section of our society that deserves great credit is our communities. The Irish people have done themselves proud. They have looked out for one another. A unique aspect of this Covid-19 disease is that it is not just about ourselves but about those around us, be they family or friends. There have been many examples of community sporting organisations and voluntary organisations coming together to help each other through this difficult time. It is important that we recognise and applaud the great sense of togetherness that Covid-19 has brought out in us. It is something we should nourish and cherish because it makes this country unique among others in that regard. Local GAA clubs are delivering groceries and other things. It is great to see that. I am happy to support the Bill.