Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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648. To ask the Minister for Health if a series of matters (details supplied) will be addressed with regard to weddings in the context of the gradual unwinding of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9077/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:

1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:

a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,

b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,

c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,

d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,

e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.

2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.

3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.

4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.

As is clear from the framework, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.

The exact numbers of person which it can be advised can attend events in Phase 5 have not been determined in advance. As with all other decisions under the Roadmap these will be informed, at the time that the decision is made, by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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649. To ask the Minister for Health if he has received advice from the Chief Medical Officer regarding the risk posed by the requirements in the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 that segregates alcohol from other shops due to the requirement to open additional doors to purchase alcohol; if plans to implement this measure will be delayed due to the disruption caused to retailers by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9083/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Section 22 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 provides for the separation and visibility of alcohol products and advertisements for alcohol products in specified licensed premises. 

Under this provision, mixed trade retailers can store alcohol products in a storage unit behind the counter at only one point of sale area and can also display and advertise alcohol products using one of the following three options:

- A separate area of the shop separated by a physical barrier which has a minimum height of not less than 1.2 metres and through which alcohol and advertisements for alcohol are not visible

or

- Enclosed adjacent storage units on the shop floor in which the products are not visible up to a minimum height of 1.5 metres

or

- A maximum of three adjacent units, each of 1 metre width and 2.2 metres high.

I commenced section 22 of the Act in November 2018. It will become operational with effect from 12 November 2020 in line with the two year lead-in period provided in the legislation.

On 9 May the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” was published. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.

Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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650. To ask the Minister for Health if public houses that serve food can reopen similar to restaurants under phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if not, the public houses which can reopen similar to restaurants at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9085/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business, published on 1 May 2020, sets out an indicative path to the easing of COVID 19 restrictions and other actions in order to facilitate the reopening Ireland’s society and economy in a phased manner. The Roadmap specifies that decisions in relation to which actions will be taken and which public health measures might be lifted will be made in accordance with the Framework for Future Decision-Making which is as follows:

1. Before each Government consideration of the easing of restrictions, the Department of Health will provide a report to the Government regarding the following on/off trigger criteria:

a. The latest data regarding the progression of the disease,

b. The capacity and resilience of the health service in terms of hospital and ICU occupancy,

c. The capacity of the programme of sampling, testing and contact tracing,

d. The ability to shield and care for at risk groups,

e. An assessment of the risk of secondary morbidity and mortality as a consequence of the restrictions.

2. It will also provide risk-based public health advice on what measures could be modified in the next period.

3. The Government would then consider what restrictions could be lifted, having regard to the advice of the Department of Health as well as other social and economic considerations, e.g. the potential for increased employment, relative benefits for citizens and businesses, improving national morale and wellbeing etc.

4. It is acknowledged that there is also an ongoing possibility that restrictions could be re-imposed and this process will be carried out on an ongoing basis once every 3 weeks.

As is clear from the framework, it is the Government rather than I or my Department that will decide on any modifications to the current public health measures in place and those decisions will be informed by the status of the on/off trigger criteria and the public health advice received at the time that a decision is being made.

In general, with the exception of public health advice, the responsibility for providing guidance in relation to a particular sector of our economy or on a specific activity remains with the Government Department with responsibility for that sector or activity.