Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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The return to sport permitted in Phase 3 of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business applies to all sports from Monday, June 29th. This includes both contact sports and fitness classes. It must be emphasised however that this resumption is subject to the Phases 3 and 4 restrictions on numbers for public gatherings and other important public health advice on social distancing, hygiene and respiratory etiquette and appropriate mechanisms to assist with contact tracing.

The Expert Group on Return to Sport, which was established by my predecessor, has accordingly encouraged a gradual and inclusive approach to the resumption of all sporting and fitness activities. General guidance has been published by Sport Ireland on behalf of the Return to Sport Expert Group, which is available on its website.

I would also like to indicate to the Deputy that many National Governing Bodies of Sport, including the Irish Martial Arts Commission, have prepared and published detailed operational protocols for the safe return of these sports. These protocols will also be of assistance to organisers of classes in ensuring compliance with the prevailing public health advice.