Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The development of two vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna is certainly welcome news, particularly with such high efficacy rates being reported. Others are in development. We also need to recognise the sacrifices of the majority of Irish people during this crisis. Of course, we cannot let our guard down over the next two weeks. I also acknowledge front-line staff in our health services for their hard work and sacrifice. It has been a horrendous year for retail and hospitality, which are part of the fabric of all our towns, villages and cities. We acknowledge the employment these businesses create, both full-time and part-time jobs, as well as the very important revenues for the State and our local authorities.

The Government needs to act now to ensure there are no stumbling blocks to providing short-term exemptions for retailers to extend opening hours without the need for planning permission. If retailers that wish to extend their opening hours can do so, they can get the most out of this very important Christmas period. This will ensure that more of the Christmas spend stays in this country this December. If ever there was a time to encourage people to buy Irish and buy local, it is this year of Covid. Ensuring we have extended opening hours will reduce the numbers queuing both in shops and on our streets and thoroughfares, so this is a public health matter as well.

We need to ensure the retail sector has every incentive and that there are no stumbling blocks to allowing extended opening hours. We need to ensure that any regulations or legislation are passed to provide the flexibility that is needed for the three-week period leading up to the Christmas shopping period. I ask that we would engage with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to ensure there is no disincentive and no stumbling blocks and that our retail businesses can open for extended hours if they so wish in December up to Christmas Day and the holiday season.