John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose that Senator Carrigy and I both speak for two and a half minutes.

I join with colleagues in welcoming the Tánaiste to the House. Exceptional times call for exceptional measures. There is no question that this Government and its predecessor, which the Tánaiste led, have put unprecedented supports in place since the onset of this pandemic. Schemes like the temporary wage subsidy scheme, the employment wage subsidy scheme, the Covid restrictions support scheme, rates waivers, restart grants, the pandemic unemployment payment, tailored schemes like the small business assistance scheme for Covid and the events sector Covid support scheme have been critical lifelines to businesses. They have sustained hundreds of thousands of jobs across the State.

I want to focus on the live theatre and events sector, which some colleagues have referenced. I note the comments made by the Tánaiste in his contribution that further supports will be required in this space. I probably sound like a broken record given that I tabled a Commencement matter to which the Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, Deputy Joe O'Brien, responded this morning and raised this matter during the Order of Business.

I am very concerned about local producers, not-for-profit organisations and community groups. This morning I referenced the Waterford Panto Society, which has a sold out run of 26 shows at the Theatre Royal, and the producers of A Christmas Carolat Garter Lane Arts Centre. These groups have bravely decided to continue with their productions even in the face of a 50% reduction in capacity. Not only do they face a logistical nightmare of choosing which 50% of their audience get to see their shows, they face the substantial losses of €47,000 and €25,000, respectively, as a direct result of the capacity limit. This situation is replicated across the country. I am fearful that if we do not support these local community organisations now they will not exist next year to put on much-loved productions at this time of year. I urge the Tánaiste to engage with his Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, as I know that he has done already, in terms of supporting these sectors. I am not for one second saying that we should not support the professional sector. Yes, we should but we must support the local community organisations if they are to exist this time next year.