Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join Senators Byrne and Lombard in asking that consideration be given to re-establish the Brexit committee. In speaking about something dear to the Cathaoirleach's heart, Senator Lombard spoke about the need to have some connection between the Seanad and local government.

It is our last week in session but it is important that the Government, in conjunction with the acting Chief Medical Officer and the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, reconsider the capacity concerns around people attending local championship matches. I know Senator Cassells raised this yesterday or Tuesday. It is important that wise heads look at these capacity matters. For example, I attended a club championship match on Saturday night in Páirc Uí Rinn, which has a capacity of almost 16,000. It could easily host more people safely than were there last Saturday night.

Watching the television footage of different matches, we can see there is a need to be wise about capacity and increase it. For example, our club will get six tickets for next Sunday's championship match, which is ridiculous. It must be changed, and I say this cognisant of public health matters and the possibility the virus may continue to spread. We should be able to allow people who are volunteers in our sporting clubs to attend these matches. The League of Ireland is starting tomorrow night. We could allow for an increase in attendance and I ask that consideration be given by the Government, NPHET and the acting Chief Medical Officer to increasing attendance at matches.