Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
576. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if a decision has been made as to when live music will be allowed to resume; if not, when a decision on the return of live music will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40919/21]
View answerOn the 29th of April the Government agreed that my Department would work with the Department of Health and Department of the Taoiseach to prepare proposals on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for sport and live entertainment, both indoor and outdoor. This was to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.
My Department worked with the Arts Council, the sporting National Governing bodies and a number of stakeholder engagement structures in place to support the development and delivery of those pilot events e.g. the Return to Sportsgrounds group and the Live Entertainment Working Group.
From the 5th of this month, outdoor events have been permitted to have up to 200 people in attendance. Larger outdoor venues with capacity of 5,000 or more can have up to 500 in attendance. I welcome this progress and the start of the reopening of the live entertainment sector. In addition, theatres can host live performances for up to 50 people.
At present, I am working with all of Government and with the Minister for Health specifically on the potential application of Digital Covid Certs and PCR tests as a means of entry to live events or as means to reduce social distancing requirements.
I have also sought advice from the Expert Working Group on Rapid Testing chaired by Prof. Mary Horgan, to determine if antigen testing can be used as a means of entry to live events or as a means to reduce social distancing. I would hope to have advice on these matters shortly and will revert to Government with proposals on the full reopening of the live entertainment sector, when the public health situation permits.
I remain committed to the full reopening of the arts and entertainment sector and I look forward to the safe and controlled return to activity.
