Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Questions (2932, 3031, 3188, 3239)

Pa Daly

Question:

2932. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health the timeline on the return of live music for weddings; and if the return of live music for weddings is tied to its return in wider hospitality settings. [39661/21]

Pauline Tully

Question:

3031. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health if live music is currently permitted at a wedding reception; if not, when the Covid-19 guidelines for weddings are due to be reviewed; if it is likely that live music will be permitted at this stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40063/21]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

3188. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health when live music will resume at a wedding ceremony and reception to 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. [40616/21]

Róisín Shortall

Question:

3239. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if weddings are permitted to have novelty acts with a seated audience, for example, a magician under current Covid-19 guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40970/21]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 2932, 3031, 3188 and 3239 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 reception with protective measures from 5 July.

Unfortunately, the outlook for the coming weeks is very uncertain and there is not yet an indication of when live music, performances or dancing will be permitted at weddings. This is outlined further in the Fáilte Ireland guidelines. These guidelines can be found online: covid19.failteireland.ie/operational-guidelines/. 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.

Question No. 2933 answered with Question No. 2599.