Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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698. To ask the Minister for Health if travel to a new residence is deemed essential in cases in which the rental lease of a person has expired and they must move while current level 5 restrictions are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8086/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As you will be aware, Ireland is currently at level 5 of Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19.

At level 5, people are asked to stay at home as much as possible unless they have a "reasonable excuse" for leaving.

The Regulations providing for these measures are set out in S.I. No. 701 of 2020 and S.I. 29 of 2021. Regulation 4. of SI 701 sets out a non-exhaustive list of reasonable excuses for leaving one’s home. This non-exhaustive list includes at 4. (2) (p) move to another residence where, in all the circumstances of the case, such movement is reasonably necessary.

Statutory Instruments relating to the Covid-19 pandemic are available here:-

Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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699. To ask the Minister for Health the protocols in place for sports commentators and journalists going to international matches; the quarantine arrangements being put in place for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8087/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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S.I. 44 No. of 2021 imposes self-quarantine requirements on passengers arriving from overseas and sets out defined exemptions from this requirement. Persons whose travel to the State is necessary for a sporting event to take place are required to self-quarantine except while engaging in activity associated with the event.

S.I. No. 44 of 20201 provides:

' "necessary person” means, in relation to a sporting event, any of the following persons whose presence at the sporting event is necessary for it to take place:

a . an athlete who is competing or playing in the sporting event, or who is eligible to so play or compete;

b . a coach or a trainer connected to an athlete;

c . medical personnel, including such personnel carrying out public health supervisory functions;

d . a person who attends the event in order to ensure that it is conducted in accordance with the rules of the sport concerned;

e . a person whose attendance at the event is necessary for it to be reported, recorded or broadcast;

Similarly, the S.I. provides that a journalist may leave their place of quarantine to carry out their professional functions.

These exemptions are provided only for travel from Category 1 countries. Travellers from higher risk countries, Category 2 states as specified, cannot avail of these exemptions.