Michael D'Arcy (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of the limit on attendance at outdoor events at 200 people. I am not sure many people had the opportunity to watch the Wexford senior hurling championship match between St. Martins and Oulart-The Ballagh but to see 200 people in a venue the size of Wexford Park when our numbers are where they are is not reasonable. In dealing with the pandemic we have shown a level of flexibility that we need again. GAA matches and other events throughout the country are taking place and organisations are struggling with the pandemic. We should not put in place false limits that will impact on the finances of organisations.

Club GAA matches will happen in every county with 200 people attending. It is not right when the Covid-19 numbers are as good as they are. We had seven new cases one day during the week. On average, there are approximately 17 new cases a day, which is less than one case per county. We are still allowing only 200 people attend an outdoor event. The flexibility required was there previously and should still be there. We should consider opening up these events to more than 200 people. I will not put a figure on it as there are people who are better capable and more qualified than me regarding public health who should be able to put a figure on it. We need to move to a better place than we currently are. The figure of 200 is an error and we need to get back to some degree of normality.