Seán Canney
Question:978. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health his plans to lift restrictions to allow Easter ceremonies to take place with limited congregations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16713/21]
View answerWednesday, 31 March 2021
Questions (978)
Written answers
As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, COVID-19 spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. The public health measures recognise the need to reduce congregation and interactions between people to reduce opportunities for the transmission of Covid-19.
The ‘Framework for Restrictive Measures in Response to COVID-19’provides for restrictions on gatherings of people indoors given the higher risk associated with these types of activities. The number of people allowed to gather in different scenarios in the plan is based on a review of international practice and the judgment of public health experts. It seeks to balance the risks of different types of gatherings against the desire to allow normal activities to proceed in so far as possible. The measures in place for each level reflect the prevailing disease situation and recognise that we can and must prioritise some activities over others.
The Framework sets out when it is considered that religious services can take place with protective measures (Levels 1 and 2) and when they must move online (Levels 3,4 and 5). Weddings and funerals are exceptions and can continue at every level with limited numbers. Churches and other places of worship can remain open for private prayer. It is also important to note that at all levels, Ministers of Religion are permitted to travel to perform a service on-line, to minister to the sick, and conduct a funeral or wedding ceremony.
I and my Cabinet colleagues recognise the immense sacrifices that are being made by people across the country at this difficult time. That includes the many people who are affected by their inability to attend church in the way they have been used to. However, there has been significant engagement and solidarity from the Catholic Church and other Faiths at all stages throughout this pandemic to ensure the protection of individuals and communities from COVID-19.
In February, the Taoiseach met with representatives of the Catholic Church to discuss the current level of Covid-19 restrictions and the Church’s desire to return to worship, in particular during the season of Lent, Holy Week and Easter. At that meeting the Taoiseach acknowledged the importance of the Church community in people’s lives at this time of stress and worry.
As the Deputy will appreciate, Ireland’s epidemiological situation remains uncertain as a number of disease indicators are now static or potentially disimproving. Ireland is still experiencing high levels of infection across the country and the health service remains under pressure. There remains a considerable risk that Ireland will experience a further wave of infection if public health restrictions are eased at the current level of infection and before the vaccine rollout has been significantly advanced.
The Government reviewed current public health measures on 30 March and agreed that religious services will continue to be held online and that this will be reviewed by 4 May.