Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo the statements of many Senators who have wished all of the businesses that are opening up today well. In that context, I wish all of the businesses in Tipperary well. They have had an incredibly tough number of weeks and I hope the Christmas period is a success for them. I encourage everyone to support them.

There is some confusion about whether craft fairs can go ahead. Fethard Horse Country Experience in Tipperary has hosted a Christmas craft fair for the past two years. It has proved very popular and has been a source of income for stall holders who provide a great variety of Christmas gifts for their customers. This year, the organisers considered holding the fair again but making it an open-air event on the main street in Fethard. They put feelers out to check the viability of such a plan and determine whether there was interest. They found there was overwhelming interest from stall holders who wished to take part. They planned to hold it on Friday, 11 December from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There is plenty of room on the main street, which has wide footpaths and plenty of space for stalls to be socially distanced. I understand under the latest Covid restrictions the fair may not be able to go ahead. I have spoken to Councillor Mark Fitzgerald who has worked extremely hard to try to resolve the issue locally. A committee is meeting tomorrow to discuss where the fair goes from here, just ten days before the planned event. There are numerous craft fairs across Tipperary and the country that want to go ahead. I would appreciate if the Leader can give us clarity from the Minister for Health on whether craft fairs can happen. If farmers markets can go ahead, craft fairs held in a safe outdoor setting should also be allowed. If I could get some clarification on that it would be welcome for those involved.