Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 June 2021
263. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to allow for test events in licensed venues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33331/21]
View answerOn Friday May 28th the Government agreed pilot events will take place in June and July. My Department has worked with the Arts Council and a number of stakeholder engagement structures in place to support the development and delivery of those pilot events. The first event took place in the Iveagh Gardens on the 10th of June in collaboration with the National Concert Hall and further events will take place across the course of the summer.
These events will assist in safely charting a path back to greater levels of activity in line with developments in public health guidance over the coming weeks and months. Pilot events are necessary as a proof of concept for the safe management of events whilst COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities and in order to evaluate, adapt and build confidence in the COVID-19 guidance and event management protocols developed by the culture and sports sectors.
Events are planned across the country including in Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Thurles, Kilkenny and Killarney a number of which will be taking place in licensed venues.
I will continue to keep these matters under review as the pilots progress and as public health guidance evolves.
