Micheál Carrigy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish all the businesses in the hospitality sector that have reopened over the past week or so the very best. I got the opportunity at the weekend to visit a number of them. I remind them that the outdoor service enhancement scheme is open from today. Through it, they can apply to their local authorities for funding. I look forward to visiting some of the businesses in Dublin Bay South with Councillor James Geoghegan in the coming weeks.

On the arts sector, I met an arts group in Longford on Friday last. I ask the Minister to give certainty to the arts sector with regard to numbers in theatres, etc. It is extremely frustrating for all those involved that they cannot plan ahead. I feel the sector can operate with restricted numbers but a support mechanism needs to be put in place to allow it to make sense financially. I ask that this be kept on the agenda.

We all saw what happened to Danish footballer Christian Eriksen at the weekend and noted the importance of having a defibrillator close by. I was involved in fundraising several years ago to put defibrillators in place in our communities. Some organisation needs to develop an app stating where the defibrillators are located in order to make sure that there are people trained in all the local areas and that the defibrillators are all working. From talking to people in various communities, I believe many of the defibrillators that have been put in place are not working. Some organisation, working through the HSE or Croí, should be supported to examine this on a national basis.

An issue arises over the high-level border operating model for products of animal origin, which is basically EU legislation that will come into effect on 1 October. No proper certification role pertaining to veterinarians has been put in place yet. It requires alignment between the Irish and UK authorities to ensure our food exports can be accepted through the UK border control posts. If this is not put in place and there is no certainty, there will be jobs put at risk in my community and throughout the country.