Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo Senator Cassells's views on vaping. It is something we need to deal with in this country as a matter of urgency. It is getting completely out of hand.

I want to talk about the business and events industry in this country. I am sure we all remember this time last year and this time in recent years when the events industry in this country helped create the economy, particularly in Dublin. This time last year, a person could not get a hotel room in Dublin. They were all taken up, primarily by business conferences that were taking place here in the city. The role that the business and events industry has played in driving the economy of this country cannot be underestimated. It is believed to be worth €3.5 billion. Some in the events industry are so good at what they do that they operate on the international scene, but the problem now is, because of Covid-19, the industry has been wiped out, virtually.

Events Industry Ireland is holding a virtual budget briefing next week and it would be worthwhile if Members of this House were able to tune into it. It is making some reasonable proposals. It is looking for €15 million, which is not a lot of money, to create a digital transformation fund to help its members upskill and move into the digital world. The organisation also wants the temporary wage subsidy scheme extended until 31 March next for its particular industry because it will not be up and running until the middle of next year. The organisation also wants assistance in negotiating with banks on spreading borrowings, etc.

When we get out of this pandemic and go to the post-Covid phase, we will rely on such industries to help us kick-start the economy. This industry is promoting its cause this week. It has done it well. A debate on this particular industry and the role it has to play would be welcome at some stage.