Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020
774. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the relevant authorities, for example, An Garda Síochána or the Health and Safety Authority, responsible for enforcing the provisions of the S.I. No. 296/2020 - Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (Face Coverings in Certain Premises and Businesses) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25162/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (Face Coverings in Certain Premises and Businesses) Regulations 2020 [SI No 296 of 2020] provide that a person shall not, without reasonable excuse, enter or remain in a premises where goods are sold directly to the public or a premises set out in the regulations, without wearing a face covering.
The Regulations provide that a responsible person shall take reasonable steps to engage with persons entering or in the relevant premises to inform them of the requirement not to enter or remain in a premises without wearing a face covering and to promote compliance with these requirements. For the purposes of the Regulations, a responsible person is specified as:
(a) the occupier of the relevant premises,
(b) the manager of the relevant premises, and
(c) any other person for the time being in charge of the relevant premises.
Enforcement is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
