Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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791. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the supports available to clubs (details supplied) in order to put in place adequate health and safety precautions at their grounds. [7577/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I have established an Expert Group on Return to Sport, which includes medical expertise, for the purposes of assisting the sporting community in Ireland, in particular the National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs), to make a safe, phased return to sport in accordance with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

The sporting bodies have sought from my Department and Sport Ireland guidance to assist them in their preparation of protocols for returning to train and returning to play. The Expert Group will provide general guidance to the NGBs on issues common to many sports such as dressing room and equipment hygiene, hand hygiene and other matters, informed by public heath advice and international best practice. I can also confirm that, with the support of the Expert Group, my Department would, provided the Expert Group is satisfied, be able to indicate to the NGBs that their return to sport protocols appear compliant with the Roadmap and public health advice.

To date, in excess of 40 separate protocols have been presented for consideration. The Expert Group will assess these on a phase-by-phase basis, re-evaluating protocols as and when the public health guidance changes. The Expert Group held its first meeting last week and is to hold its second this week.

Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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792. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding airline passengers that were unable to take flights due to Covid-19; if he will address the concerns of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7578/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The law is clear in circumstances where an airline cancels a flight - for whatever reason - that all passengers booked on that flight who seek it are entitled to a full cash refund within 7 days. That provision is set out in EU Regulation 261 (2004).Notwithstanding the constraints arising from the COVID pandemic, a small number of flights are continuing to be operated. Where a flight takes place there is nothing in the law that entitles a passenger to a refund from an airline, but I understand that in such cases airlines are generally offering customers the chance to rebook or take a voucher in light of the covid-19 travel restrictions.

Anyone having difficulties securing a refund for a cancelled flight should contact the Commission for Aviation Regulation. Further advice is available on its dedicated passenger rights website . The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission is best placed to offer advice on consumer rights generally related to travel at .

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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793. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if specific guidelines have been circulated to each sporting organisation on the communication of public health information to their members and players with regard to clubs reopening and continued restrictions on members from outside a 5km radius and cocooning members. [7589/20]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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794. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if guidance has been issued to sporting clubs and organisations on the way in which to implement public health guidelines within such clubs and organisations. [7590/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 793 and 794 together.

I have established an Expert Group on Return to Sport, which includes medical expertise, for the purposes of assisting the sporting community in Ireland, in particular the National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs), to make a safe, phased return to sport in accordance with the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.

The sporting bodies have sought from my Department and Sport Ireland guidance to assist them in their preparation of protocols for returning to train and returning to play. The Expert Group will provide general guidance to the NGBs on issues common to many sports such as dressing room and equipment hygiene, hand hygiene and other matters, informed by public heath advice and international best practice. I can also confirm that, with the support of the Expert Group, my Department would, provided the Expert Group is satisfied, be able to indicate to the NGBs that their return to sport protocols appear compliant with the Roadmap and public health advice.

To date, in excess of 40 separate protocols have been presented for consideration. The Expert Group will assess these on a phase-by-phase basis, re-evaluating protocols as and when the public health guidance changes.

The Expert Group held its first meeting last week and is to hold its second this week.

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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795. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be given consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7591/20]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business is based on public health advice and compliance with the requirements of each of its five phases by all concerned is essential to ensure continued progress against the COVID-19 pandemic.

Phase one of the Roadmap clearly provides that while it is possible to participate in a range of sporting activities in groups of no more than four people, this must be within 5km of the households of those involved. The guidance also states explicitly that social distancing should be maintained at all times. It is also important to highlight that the public health advice for those who are cocooning is to continue to stay at home, except for brief outdoor exercise within 5km of their home.

It has been brought to my attention that, while the overwhelming majority of people are fully respecting the public health guidelines, there have been some difficulties in relation to adherence to the 5km travel restriction by people engaging in sporting activity during Phase One. This situation is both regrettable and concerning. Sport Ireland has been in communication with the sporting organisations concerned to voice this concern and to reinforce the importance of the memberships of all sporting organisations respecting the Roadmap and complying with public health regulations at all times.