Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I fully support Senator Gavan and others in their comments regarding the protestors who are carrying on in such an appalling way. It drives me mad when I see the Tricolour being flown by people who are doing everything to destroy all that it stands for. The question of how we take them on is one thing but what is certain is that we must be outspoken against them. Anybody who has spoken to older people and others affected by Covid or watched the young man on the news last week who is on two crutches and trying to get back to health must wonder where these protestors are coming from morally. Their actions are shocking and outrageous. I appeal to those among them who may feel a little uncomfortable but have been pressurised to go on the marches to step away from what is happening. The people involved must be confronted and they must be stopped. I do not want violence on the street. That is not what I am talking about. We in this Parliament, both Seanad and Dáil, and our leaders, must speak out against what these people are doing.

I want to speak briefly about the hotel and restaurant sector. It is in absolute chaos as a result of the economic wreckage that has taken place in recent months. I know that the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister for Finance, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht are all working on a budget proposal to assist the sector. Some 100,000 jobs have been lost and another 100,000 are under threat. We must step up to the mark and do something for this sector. I accept that it will not be easy but we must do something. Perhaps hotels will have to close for a while but the fear is that if this happens, they will not reopen. In practical terms, outdoor catering in Ireland does not work. All we can do for now is pray for an Indian summer. I am sure I have everybody in the House on my side in asking the Leader to convey to the Government an appeal to do everything it can for the sector.