Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Leas-Chathaoirligh. I might not even take up the two minutes.

I will refer again to the entertainment industry. I have heard Senator Kyne and others speak about the seriousness of the situation. I fully appreciate and acknowledge Government support for the sector. There was also the announcement last week of €50 million for certain sectors but - this is a big "but" - approximately 3,000 musicians have virtually lost all their gigs for Christmas. They cannot get back on the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP. I know many of these people personally because I was involved in that business for a while and some of them are facing massive hardship.

I ask Senator Kyne to use his good wisdom and authority and write the Minister a letter, although I know she is coming to the Chamber tomorrow, to explain the seriousness of this situation. I know people will say musicians can go down to the social welfare officer but some people will not do that out of pride. There is money in the sector that could be targeted to help those people.I accept it is not a simple matter to get around the issue but I ask the Government to do something, to put something in place for just a few months to get these people out of the difficult situation they are in.