Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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228. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if a roadmap with confirmed dates will be provided for the resumption of live indoor music events; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27941/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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On the 29th of April the Government agreed that my Department will work with the Department of Health and Department of the Taoiseach to prepare proposals on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for sport and live entertainment, both indoor and outdoor. This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.

I would hope to begin hosting these events in June, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the rollout of the vaccination programme. All options for the safe roll out of these events are being considered. I am cautiously optimistic that once test events can be undertaken and lessons drawn from those that we can grow spectator attendances later in the Summer.

In the meantime my Department will work with sporting and cultural bodies and make practical preparations for these test events. Guidelines and plans for the pilot music and sport events are in development. Further details will be announced in due course.