Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021
177. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if she has made contact with the organisers of Dublin City Marathon to establish whether any reassurance could be provided to allow this important event to be held given the likely progress in vaccines by then. [38812/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNeither my Department nor Sport Ireland, which is the statutory body for the development of sport in Ireland, have any role in relation to the running or organisation of this event. In relation to events involving more than 5,000 persons, there is a licensing function to be discharged by the relevant local authority, under the Planning and Development (Licensing of Outdoor Events) Regulations, 2001.
Prior to the recent decision by the organisers to cancel the event for this year, which had been earmarked for the 24th of October, the organisers had sought feedback from the Expert Group on the Return to Sport (EGRTS) on a protocol they had prepared for the event. The EGRTS noted that they were not in a position to ‘approve’ the proposal received but could provide observations as requested. The Expert Group’s view on the protocol submitted was to the effect that there may be concerns about international travel associated with the event, but that the roll-out of the vaccination programme should be considered against the proposal. The Expert Group also noted that it was reasonable to anticipate the vaccination programme would have a positive implication for the delivery of the event. However any event, and the full details thereof, would have to be in line with the public health advice at the time of staging.
The matter now rests with the event organisers.
