Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the same issue, I wrote to the Minister last week asking that advice be sought from the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, as to whether it is possible to increase the number of people attending matches.

A figure of 200 was given out but that figure is incorrect because 40 people are needed for each team, which is 80, and the venue staff, including stewards, referees, media and first aid providers take up another 40, so there are only 80 tickets left between two clubs, which is only 40 each. Páirc Uí Chaoimh has a capacity of 45,000 seats but there are only 80 people inside it. I want to follow the medical advice and if this is what is advised I will accept it, but it does not make sense to me or others given that we have stadiums like Croke Park, Semple Stadium in Thurles and Páirc Uí Chaoimh, which can hold between 40,000 and 80,000 people. Croke Park can hold 80,000 people and can only have 80 spectators in it. I would like the Minister to review the medical advice on this matter.

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