Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I called yesterday for the reinstatement of the employment wage subsidy scheme. All of us in the Chamber are concerned about the hospitality and tourism industry. Last week I spoke about supporting local businesses on Black Friday. We should really get the message out there that people can support hospitality and tourism by buying vouchers and support local businesses by buying their produce. Some of them have takeaway produce or preserves, etc. It is incumbent on all of us as legislators to get the message out that we really need to support local businesses because they are suffering, especially those in the hospitality and tourism industry. I hope the employment wage subsidy scheme is reinstated to its full value but we must support local businesses by buying vouchers and gifts available locally.