Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
496. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Health if the restrictions that will be necessary in order that weddings can proceed, for example, the number, social distancing and so on will be clarified in view of the fact that between 20 May and the end of 2020 there are close to 15,000 weddings planned here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7871/20]
View answer498. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Health his plans to publish guidelines for those organising weddings in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7920/20]
View answer500. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if advice will be provided for couples planning a wedding in September and October 2020 in view of the publication of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Businesses as a result of Covid-19; the number of guests that will be permitted at that stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8049/20]
View answer539. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if social gatherings specifically weddings are permitted to proceed as normal from 10 August 2020 as outlined in phase 5 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7425/20]
View answer541. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that constitute a small wedding; the number of persons that constitute a large wedding under the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; the social distancing rules that apply to a large wedding in view of the uncertainty in relation to persons wishing to marry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7430/20]
View answer610. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification in respect of the number of attendees allowed at weddings held after phase 5 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business in which it states some larger social gatherings can take place, for example, weddings, these will be restricted due to the risks involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8033/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 496, 498, 500, 539, 541 and 610 together.
The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:
1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:
a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,
b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,
c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,
d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,
e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.
2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.
3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.
4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.
As is clear from the framework, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.
My Department will not be providing detailed guidance in relation to weddings.
Guidance in relation to events in specific sectors of the economy should in the first instance be sought from the Government Department with responsibility for that sector.
