David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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213. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason live music has been banned; if she has considered reviewing the decision and providing additional supports for musicians and businesses in the music industry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36361/21]

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 live performances, higher noise levels due to music, can force people into close proximity or require 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 live music is not currently permitted. As the Deputy is aware however, Government will be reviewing COVID restrictions before the 19th of July and I secured the agreement of Government last month to review the restrictions on performances at licensed venues, such as restaurants, pubs and hotels.

In addition to reviewing the position in relation to live entertainment, on Friday May 28th the Government agreed pilot events will take place in June and July, depending on the epidemiological situation at the time and subject to the roll out of the vaccination programme.

My Department has worked with the Arts Council and a number of stakeholder engagement structures in place to support the development and delivery of those pilot events. The following events have taken place to date:

- Music concert in the Iveagh Gardens in collaboration with the National Concert Hall;

- Chamber Orchestra at University Limerick;

- Music Concert at the INEC in Killarney, and;

- Music Festival at IMMA;

Further events will take place across the course of the summer. These events will assist in safely charting a path back to greater levels of activity in line with developments in public health guidance over the coming weeks and months. Pilot events are necessary as a proof of concept for the safe management of events whilst COVID-19 is still circulating in our communities and in order to evaluate and build confidence in the COVID-19 guidance and event management protocols developed by the culture and sports sectors.

I remain firmly committed to the full return of all live entertainment at the earliest possible date, having regard to public health developments, and the pilot performances, together with a wide range of horizontal and direct supports for the sector, are all part of a suite of measures designed to sustain and support the sector in its recovery.