Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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976. To ask the Minister for Health if he will relax the 100-person restriction for indoor venues in the case of exhibitions in which very large venues are used in view of the importance of the exhibitions and trade fair sector to the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14938/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, on 19 June 2020, the Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, announced the restrictions that would be eased and the measures that will be in place in Phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business. On Thursday 25th June the Government confirmed the move to Phase 3 of the Roadmap from Monday, 29 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 3 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at

The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. This will be subject to continued progressive improvements in the health indicators identified in the Framework for Future Decision-Making described in the Roadmap.

Currently, gatherings of 50 people (indoor) and 100 people (outdoor) are permissible in line with the public health guidance on mass gatherings, which is also available on the Government website at . The limits will increase to 100 (indoors) and 500 (outdoors) in phase 4. This will be subject to continued progressive improvements in the health indicators identified in the Framework for Future Decision-Making described in the Roadmap.

The Government is very conscious of the impacts of COVID-19 on all sectors of the economy including the sector referred to by the Deputy. The Government established a Cabinet Committee (chaired by the Taoiseach), to assess the social and economic impacts of the potential spread of COVID-19. The work of the Cabinet Committee includes advice on downstream impacts, mitigations and contingencies for cross-sectoral issues and builds on the effective public health work undertaken to date. The cross-government approach to the coronavirus response is based around cohesive decision-making, partnership, expert public health advice and clarity of communications. The measures in place and the guidance and advice to various sectors, including the matters referred to by the Deputy are kept under constant review.