 Largest credit guarantee scheme in history of the State
The new COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS) will make low cost loans available to businesses impacted by the pandemic, providing much needed liquidity as our economy continues to reopen, according to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Leo Varadkar. The Government has agreed to publish the Credit Guarantee (Amendment) Bill 2020, which will underpin the scheme and will also remove the portfolio cap, which will result in an increased potential maximum liability for the State of €1.6 billion.  Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney has said visitors should not come into Ireland unless they restrict their movements for 14 days.
Mr Coveney said the Government is still warning against all non-essential travel, but that a green list of countries – where it will be safe to fly to and from – will be published by the Government next week.  Ministers will meet at Dublin Castle this afternoon to discuss a number of issues, including Brexit and the July stimulus package, which is aimed at saving businesses and jobs. It is the fourth Cabinet meeting since the Government was formed last month.
Also on the agenda is the Covid-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme, which will help give small and medium businesses access to finance.  Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government remains "cautious" on international travel, as its priority is on opening up parts of society safely.
Speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr show on Sunday, Mr Martin said there is still a lot of volatility relating to Covid-19. He said the Cabinet will be discussing measures this week that may be needed, such as strengthening measures at airports, ahead of issuing a possible 'green list' of countries.  Dalata Hotel Group has agreed an amendment to the group's debt facilities agreement, which would give it greater access to liquidity in a worst case scenario.
The company has now reopened 42 of its hotels in the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and England to the public. Two final hotels, the Clayton Hotel Cardiff and the Maldron Hotel Belfast International Airport are expected to reopen on 11 July and 1 August respectively.  - 3,000 SMEs awaiting date for exhibitions and trade fairs to commence-
Representing the majority of event companies who organise trade fairs and exhibitions in Ireland, the Irish Exhibition Organisers Association (IEOA) is calling for clarity from Government on whether trade and consumer exhibitions can recommence this Autumn. With the economy gradually re-opening, IEOA members’ trade fairs and exhibitions deliver a vital sales pipeline for thousands of businesses. In September and October alone, over 3,000 small businesses are already booked to exhibit at IEOA member events.  Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced he will cut VAT from 20% to 5% for parts of the hospitality sector and introduce a month-long 'Eat Out to Help Out' discount scheme for diners. READ MORE...
 Pubs in rural Ireland and tourist destinations shouldn't be punished and prevented from reopening due to the behaviour of a small number of people, Labour leader Alan Kelly has said.
The wider reopening of pubs from coronavirus restrictions on July 20 is at risk over concerns about social distancing outside bars. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government was unhappy about incidents at some locations over the weekend and warned plans for the next phase of reopening remain “under review”.  Fáilte Ireland unveils new domestic marketing campaign and new COVID-19 Safety Charter to boost public confidence. Research shows almost 9 out 10 people want appropriate safety measures in place before taking a domestic break this year
Fáilte Ireland revealed its new national domestic marketing campaign to the tourism and hospitality industry last week. ‘Ireland, make a break for it’ will go live across media this weekend in what will be a major drive to encourage people to take domestic breaks this summer.  Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said the Government will take a cautious approach to international travel and non-essential travel is not advised until at least 20 July.
On that date, a so-called "green list" of countries with similar levels of the virus to Ireland will be published. That will be followed by an easing of travel restrictions between those countries and Ireland. |
Archives
March 2026
|
RSS Feed
|
This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.
See our Privacy Statement here & Cookie Policy here |
© Copyright IFSA 2020. All Rights Reserved.