Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent)
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133. To ask the Minister for Trade, Enterprise and Employment the reason wet pubs are one of the last remaining industries to be allowed to reopen (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39912/20]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I am keenly aware that publicans are making a massive sacrifice to protect their communities and I am committed to ensuring that the Government offers as much assistance and support as possible.

On Friday I met with business and employer representative organisations, including publicans, to brief them and explain the new COVID-19 measures.

The Government’s ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’ is the Framework for the Restrictive Measures developed to help us to go about our daily lives as much as possible, while managing the virus.

That Framework sets out the five levels which are activated accordingly to the incidence of the disease and seeks to balance continuing restrictions in proportion with the positive social and economic benefits which will be brought about by businesses reopening. Details of the Plan are available at .

It is important to note that all decisions taken by Government on the timing of any lifting of restrictions will be guided by advice received from the National Public Health Emergency Team.

I know that employers and employees want to get back to work and I support them in that ambition, but it must be safe to do so. My Department contributed to the considerations around the phased re-opening of sectors and I will work within Government to secure further details and clarity for businesses as we progress through the levels in line with evolving response to the pandemic.

At all times the priority guiding the plan will be to keep our schools open, while keeping people safe and protecting the resilience of our economy and communities. It will be subject to regular review in the context of the progression or suppression of the disease in Ireland or new guidance or research that emerges from other sources.

These decisions are not taken lightly, and I am acutely conscious of the impact COVID-19 restrictions are having on businesses. That is why since the beginning of the pandemic, the Government has worked to support businesses through this difficult time with a comprehensive range of measures for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities. For a full list of supports for business please see .