Written answers

Tuesday, 22 September 2020

Photo of Robert TroyRobert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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771. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 710 of 15 September 2020, if the trials (details supplied) can go ahead; and if there are certain regulations the organisation should adhere to with the exception of the 100 person limit and social distancing in view of the fact each trail will be held in a large outdoor area [25134/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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You will be aware that the situation regarding COVID-19 has been, and continues to be, an evolving situation. COVID-19 is still having a major impact both here in Ireland and elsewhere.

On Tuesday 15 September the Government published ‘Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19’. This new Plan outlines our medium-term strategy for COVID-19 and sets out a Framework of 5 Levels which outline the broad measures which will apply depending on the level of the virus at any given time. It will be possible for different regions and counties to be at different levels, depending on the incidence of the virus in each particular region or county. The Plan is designed to help everyone – individuals, organisations and sectors – to better understand, anticipate and prepare for the measures that might be introduced to contain transmission of the virus. The intention is that Departments and sectors will provide guidance for specific sectors and activities in line with the 5 level framework.

Unfortunately, I am not in a position to comment on whether the Sheep Dog Trails can proceed later this year as this will depend on the prevalence of disease at the time and the Level of restrictions applying. The numbers of people that can attend outdoor events under each level of the Framework is detailed in the Plan, which is available here:

Organisers and participants will need to have regard to regulations in operation at the time of the various National Sheep Dog Trials events. In addition to regulations in place at any given time, all event organisers and participants should have regard to both general guidance and relevant sectoral guidance in place.

The public health advice relating to Covid-19 is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), and it provides advice to Government in line with the current epidemiological position. The latest public health advice on these matters is available at the links below and is updated on a regular basis:

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