Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of drive-in cinemas, particularly Retro Drive-in Movies in Leopardstown in my constituency and the absolutely baffling news it has been closed down for supposedly being in breach of Covid regulations. This has come as a surprise to the businesses as it did to many of us, including me, who attended one of these drive in cinemas on Friday night. Previously under SI 219 of 2021 of the Health Act 1947, cinemas were listed as not permitted but drive-in cinemas were listed as an exception. It makes absolutely no sense that at a time when people can go to non-essential retail and the zoo, travel intercounty and visit people in gardens they cannot drive and watch a movie from the safety of their car. Will the Minister liaise with his Government colleagues to have this exception put back into the regulations for drive-in cinemas?

See this speech in context