Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021
251. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if the French rugby team will be quarantined on their arrival into Ireland before their game against Ireland on 14 February 2021. [5850/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra252. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the protocol in relation to quarantining for visiting sports teams and athletes. [5851/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.
I would refer the Deputy to the guidance material on international travel that has been prepared by the Expert Group on Return to Sport, established by my Department, which is available on the gov.ie website https://assets.gov.ie/86267/8a1a9675-9e01-4f3b-b3ac-4a3230b4891a.pdf
This guidance document contains details of the provisions applicable to sporting events involving visiting sports teams and athletes. This document is currently being updated to reflect the Government's recent decisions in regard to international travel.
In the specific case of the upcoming Six Nations Championship, it is worth highlighting the strict COVID-19 controls laid down by the tournament's organisers, including PCR testing for all players, officials and coaching staff. My Department and Sport Ireland are engaging with the IRFU to ensure the arrangements for travel by the Irish men's and women's teams, and by teams from the other Unions to Ireland to fulfill Six Nations fixtures, will adhere to the public health regulations and the guidance document referred to earlier. Given their success in hosting international test matches last Autumn, I would be confident that the IRFU can safely stage Six Nations matches at the Aviva Stadium in the coming weeks.
