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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020

Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Questions (360)

Chris Andrews

Question:

360. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht if a summary will be provided of the evidence available which pointed to the need to suspend amateur football such as the Leinster Senior League while GAA county championship games can continue to be played in Dublin in view of the fact that Dublin is now subject to level 3 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26510/20]

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Written answers

At its meeting on Thursday 17 September, the Expert Group on Return to Sport, which is chaired by my Department, considered a range of questions from the sporting bodies on the Government’s Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with Covid-19, including a request for clarification as to the interpretation of ‘Club Championship’.

The Expert Group advised the sporting bodies that in the Plan, Club Championship refers to ongoing senior national competition or equivalent. Senior in this context means adult competition. The Expert Group were clear that no exemption would apply in the case of underage competition at any level. Sport Ireland has communicated this clarification to the sporting bodies.

The Sports Bodies are applying this guidance as it relates to their own competitions, however, in recognition of the need for everyone to reduce their social contacts in the capital, the Expert Group has asked the sporting bodies to consider what fixtures and events scheduled in Dublin in the coming weeks can be postponed without unfairly impacting on athletes and teams competing in national championships. All of these measures are aimed at reversing the deeply concerning trend of the virus in Dublin, by encouraging the adherence to public health advice, in particular, to reduce congregation.

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