John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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161. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures he is taking to protect and preserve vulnerable but viable businesses such as tour guides, chauffeur and limousines businesses and coach operators, many of which have mortgage-type loans on vehicles to ensure they thrive when tourism returns. [16923/20]

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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162. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he has taken to protect vulnerable professionals of many years' standing in the tour guide business who have helped to sell Ireland so successfully to visitors who return again and again; and the supports in place to protect them to ensure they can recommence as vibrant businesses when the turn in the pandemic comes. [16925/20]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 161 and 162 together.

The Government will shortly publish a series of immediate actions to support the economy - the "July Stimulus". In this context the Government will, among other things, consider further additional measures that may be needed to support the tourism and hospitality sector.

My Department has liaised with other Government departments and industry representative bodies, to align the economy wide COVID-19 supports and initiatives with tourism and hospitality needs. The Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises including tourism businesses as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable through the EU’s state aid framework.