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The tourism sector faces a “rapid acceleration” of insolvencies after Christmas, as the impact of the pandemic continues to put heavy pressure on businesses, the government was warned on Wednesday.
Failure to support companies in the sector “would abandon balanced regional development and self-sustaining rural communities,” Paul Kelly, the chief executive of Fáilte Ireland, told an Oireachtas committee.
While the industry is grateful for existing government support, it is not enough. He will tell the tourism committee that “the severity and longevity of the public health restrictions mean that for many businesses the current level of support will not be sufficient.”
In his opening statement to committee members, which has been seen by The Irish Times, Kelly states that: “We have already seen some insolvencies and we are likely to see a rapid acceleration in this after Christmas, unless something changes significantly. “.
He will say that while tourism will recover, the speed at which it does so “will mainly depend on how many tourism companies have received the support they need to remain solvent.”
Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne “cannot understand why cinemas have been excluded. Theaters could open in a safe and socially distanced way before and should be allowed to do so again. “Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Theaters will not reopen
The government is also coming under pressure for support for the live entertainment sector after it emerged that theaters will not be able to reopen now or during the holiday period.
This despite the fact that museums, galleries and cinemas reopened on Tuesday when the second national closure ended.
Health Department medical director Dr. Tony Holohan said Monday that the National Public Health Emergency Team had not considered the difference in risk between cinemas and theaters.
In a statement Tuesday evening, an Arts Department spokeswoman said “it was not possible at this time to allow live entertainment, including live theater performances, to return except in very limited circumstances outdoors.”
“Indoor live performances are a complex subject with a greater variety of venues and types of performances than is found, for example, in the cinema. These matters have been discussed by the Government and will continue to be examined in consultation with the industry. Minister Catherine Martin is deeply involved in this process, meeting with groups, including in theater, on these issues.
Online Programs
“The disappointment of the theater professionals who demonstrated diligence and responsibility in their approach to the challenges posed by Covid-19 is totally understandable. We all want to see the return of live performances as soon as possible and the Minister and her department will continue to work with the Arts Council, the Theater Forum and other stakeholders to achieve that goal. “
Instead, the government encourages people to “participate in online shows, which include concerts, concerts, pantos, theatrical experiences, and comedy.”
Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne said he “cannot understand why cinemas have been excluded. Theaters could open in a safe and socially distanced way before and should be allowed to do so again.
“I am disappointed that Nphet did not even think about theaters and this is concerning given the impact that his decisions have on the cultural sector.”
Meanwhile, there were 18 other Covid-19 deaths reported by Nphet on Tuesday night, as well as 269 new cases of the virus. Of these deaths, one was in October, 15 in November, and one is under investigation.
Separately, the number of coronavirus deaths in Northern Ireland has passed the 1,000 mark, according to the latest figures from the Northern Department of Health.
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