Irish Examiner view: Catholic priests on the breadline 

Some in the Diocese of Kerry have endured a 50% fall in their incomes because of Covid-19 restrictions

Retired Bishop of Kerry Bill Murphy celebrates Mass with Fr Niall Howard and sacristan Tadhg Fleming in St Mary's Cathedral, Killarney,  broadcast live on the internet with no worshippers in attendance due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Picture: Don MacMonagle

During the early months of the pandemic the Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys suggested that those who depend on performing in front of a live audience might have to retrain as Covid-19 restrictions would make it impossible for them to generate a regular income. 

Her suggestion did not win her or her party new friends and she offended many of those committed to the performing arts.