Declan Jordan: Memo to Government - defer Vat payments and commercial rates amid the Covid-19 crisis

Dr Declan Jordan, economics lecturer at Cork University Business School: All that many have been able to do is shut the doors, with devastating implications for workers and business owners.

The Covid-19 crisis is putting unprecedented strain on our health system and healthcare workers. The primary objective for the Irish government now must be to protect people and stop the spread of the virus.