The Government closed down Dublin Castle and the surrounding area in my constituency for the EU Presidency security arrangements for six months. Shockingly, it gave no official communication to any of the businesses affected in advance. One business, the Silk Road Café, has had to take legal action that is currently with the courts. Another, the Bottega Toffoli restaurant, has seen turnover reduce by 40%. A third, the MB Glow spa and aesthetic clinic, is losing €4,000 per week. As the owner of the last establishment eloquently noted on Instagram, behind every open door is more than a business - there is history, a family and professionals, or an immigrant who bet everything to build a life here. My question to the Minister for enterprise is simple. What compensation programme is his Department going to put in place for businesses in the city centre that are taking a financial hit because of this Government disruption?

Sentiment score: -0.10