Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 June 2021
102. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the current definition of a sporting event in the Covid-19 legislation precludes persons from organising a competitive sporting event that is not affiliated with a national governing body; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33613/21]
View answerIn line with the Government-approved “Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19” organised outdoor gatherings are limited to 15 participants, with different restrictions applying to organised sporting events. Sporting events are defined in the relevant public health regulations, S.I. No. 217/2021 - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 2) Regulations 2021, as amended. Per section 2 of the regulations, the exemption from restrictions on sporting events only applies to those being held under the auspices of a National Governing Body recognised and supported by Sport Ireland, or a school, university or higher education institution.
Our recognised NGBs have done excellent work to develop and implement protocols for the safe return to training and competition, with guidance from Sport Ireland and the Expert Group on Return to Sport established by my Department. The detailed and comprehensive protocols applied for sports training and competition are aligned with international best practice, and informed by experience. It is regrettable that at this time, it is not possible to permit a broader return to mass events, but the current restrictions are clear that matches and competitive sporting events are not permitted except for those governed and overseen by recognised NGBs.
As the summer goes on and the vaccination rollout continues the restrictions we must operate under will lessen, and I expect that larger events will be possible in due course.
