Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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238. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if music will be permitted at wedding receptions from 7 June 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25490/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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COVID-19 is a highly infectious disease, which spreads when individuals and groups come into close contact with one another, enabling the virus to move from one person to another. In certain settings, such as weddings, higher noise levels due to music, can force people into close proximity, requiring them to raise their voices or shout to communicate thus increasing the risk of spreading virus to others. Such activities present a higher risk of transmission of COVID-19. Accordingly the existing Government decision remains in place that no live or loud music is permitted at weddings receptions. As the Deputy is aware, Government will be reviewing Covid restrictions at the end of the month and again in July.

In the meantime, it is hoped to begin hosting a limited number of pilot live events for live entertainment, both indoor and outdoor commencing in June, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the rollout of the vaccination programme. Every option for the safe roll out of these events will be considered.