Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
64. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she will report on her recent interactions with the major sporting organisations with regard to the return of supporters to live sports events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21594/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, spectators are permitted to attend sporting events in limited numbers when the relevant area of the country is at Level 1 or at Level 2. In preparation for such attendances, draft guidelines have been developed with the benefit of an excellent and ongoing engagement with the FAI, the IRFU and the GAA. These guidelines have been submitted to the public health authorities for their consideration.
The next step is to schedule some test events, the timing of which is of course contingent on the prevalence of the virus. The Ferguson report offers the prospect of building on the good work already done with the sporting organisations concerned.
I believe that we can start to pilot and to test events this summer. We would all like to see spectators back at, for example, one of the All-Ireland matches or a League of Ireland game this summer. I am positive and optimistic about that but we are not there yet. Antigen testing may play a key role, not only around sport but also third level education and other key areas of society that we want to see reopen and stay open.
Accelerating over the summer months the resumption of sport overall is an important objective of the Government, including the holding of competitions, which many young people and adults have missed out on for many months. Safeguarding our physical and mental health is important and outdoor activity is being prioritised by Government.
It is necessary that we continue to be guided by health officials on how best to allow safe attendance at sporting and cultural events. I can assure the Deputy that Minister Martin and I will continue our constructive and close engagement with the sports sector.
