Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (2354, 2684, 2685, 2899, 2905, 2906, 2994, 3168, 3175, 3187, 3196, 3231, 3232)

Joe O'Brien

Question:

2354. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health the number of guests that will be permitted at wedding ceremonies and receptions in August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37479/21]

Duncan Smith

Question:

2684. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that can be invited to a wedding from 5 August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38776/21]

Paul Kehoe

Question:

2685. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health if he plans to ease Covid-19 restrictions in August 2021 to permit an increase in attendance at weddings to 100 guests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38777/21]

Paul McAuliffe

Question:

2899. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health when the next update will be provided on the number of attendees allowed at weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39554/21]

Neale Richmond

Question:

2905. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health when the current restrictions on numbers at weddings will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39571/21]

Ivana Bacik

Question:

2906. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of guests that will be permitted at weddings, ceremonies and receptions over the coming months; if his Department will publish a specific roadmap for holding weddings during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39602/21]

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

2994. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 405 of 14 July 2021, when weddings will be allowed increase to 100 guests. [39815/21]

Neasa Hourigan

Question:

3168. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health if the move to increase the maximum attendance at wedding receptions and celebrations held indoors to 100 guests will proceed in August; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40567/21]

Johnny Guirke

Question:

3175. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Health if there are still specific Covid-19 restrictions on wedding receptions; and if these receptions are now governed by indoor dining regulations. [40579/21]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

3187. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when the numbers at a wedding ceremony and reception will reflect the change due to vaccination and especially in the context of the size of the location in which the ceremony or reception is to take place with the reopening of hospitality pending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40615/21]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

3196. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the number of guests who will be permitted at wedding ceremonies and receptions as restrictions lift. [40746/21]

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

3231. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health when guidelines for weddings will be revised; when both the decisions, announcement and enactment with take place; the currently scheduled changes to be made to the guidelines for weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40920/21]

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

3232. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when Covid-19 guidelines in relation to weddings will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40927/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2354, 2684, 2685, 2899, 2905, 2906, 2994, 3168, 3175, 3187, 3196, 3231 and 3232 together.

As the Deputies will be aware, on 29 June, Government announced the next phase of reopening the economy and society in line with Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead.

While significant progress is being made in relation to the roll-out of our vaccination programme, the rapidly increasing prevalence of the more transmissible Delta variant, and the significant risk this poses, in particular to those who are not yet fully vaccinated, meant that a number of higher risk indoor activities did not recommence as planned on 5 July, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity status.

However, as an exception, weddings already planned have been allowed to proceed with the planned increase in the number of guests to 50 at the wedding ceremony and reception with protective measures from 5 July. The Fáilte Ireland guidelines on weddings can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/

Disease incidence has increased rapidly in recent weeks, especially among those who are not yet fully protected through vaccination and the outlook for the coming weeks is very uncertain.

Unfortunately, due to current uncertainties there is not yet an indication of when an increase to the number of guests at a wedding will be permitted. The epidemiological situation will be monitored on an ongoing basis and the level of restrictions will be kept under review by Government.

Significant and sustained progress has been made on suppressing the virus over recent months due to the huge effort of people across the country. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. To protect the gains of recent months we must continue to practice basic preventative behaviours and to follow public health guidelines.