Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak again about the music and entertainment industry, more specifically the impact this dreadful pandemic is having on the lives of individuals employed in that industry in Ireland and, ultimately, on our heritage and our culture. I understand totally that we need to take action to curtail the spread of Covid-19, but I believe that the music and entertainment sectors have shouldered more of the burden than any other sector in this society and that this treatment is unfair. More significantly, it risks sounding the death knell of a hugely important part of Irish life. The music and entertainment industry was the first sector to close and the last to reopen.

It has been less than four weeks since restrictions were eased to such an extent that the industry felt that a lifeline was available to it. While the Government may still hold the view that the sector as a whole remains open, yesterday's announcement completely contradicts that assertion. In recent weeks, Government advice has been for individuals to take action to reduce their social contacts. Many formal settings in which people socialise have felt the knock-on implications, with many gigs seeing fewer attendees, venues seeing fewer tickets sold and some gigs being postponed or cancelled outright. The Music & Entertainment Association of Ireland, MEAI, reports that confidence within the industry is at an all-time low and that there is huge concern about its continued viability in light of yesterday's announcement. Musicians and entertainers who are employed in these sectors are still available to do their work, but the opportunities for them to do so are eroding week on week.

Live music in Irish pubs and restaurants does so much more for Irish society than just provide places for people to gather, to drink and to eat; it provides space for connection and conversation through stories and songs for the benefit of health and happiness and for life and love. They are a fundamental and invaluable part of the ecosystem of music and entertainment, of the arts and of our culture. Over the course of this pandemic the Government has failed to recognise the full contributions of these industries to Irish life, and that needs to change. We must not allow for their full value to be recognised only when they no longer exist.

An Taoiseach advised yesterday evening that he was of the view that these latest restrictions would not be hugely impactful on the levels of employment in the sector, but changing opening hours impacts the viability of these businesses and, therefore, the livelihoods of the people employed in them. It was also advised in the Dáil Chamber yesterday that the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, will not be restored for those individuals put out of work by these latest restrictions. I cannot get my head around that decision, and I call on the Government to revisit it as a matter of absolute urgency. These businesses and their employees are real but at present they do not feel seen by our political decision-makers.

In recent speeches I have called for co-operation between the Government and stakeholders in the music and entertainment industry. I request that the Minister have an urgent meeting with all the stakeholders of this industry to discuss the implementation of essential support needs for the industry. These stakeholders need to be at the table. We have to listen to them and hear their voice. An Taoiseach invoked the old Irish seanfhocal, "Ní neart go cur le chéile", in his speech yesterday evening, and there can be no strength without unity. However, how leaving a hugely valuable part of our Irish society out in the cold can be viewed as unity is just beyond me. I call on the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, to come in here and talk to us about the PUP, particularly for the music and entertainment industry and how it is being cut.