Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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122. To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the meetings or consultations that took place between his Department and representatives of the live performance and nightlife sector, including workers and businesses, in the week prior to the announcements on 19 October of the plans to ease restrictions on the sector. [53306/21]

Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will know policy responsibility for the live performance and nightlife sector is not within the remit of my Department. This sector is the responsibility of my colleague, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD.

The final decision by Government on 19th of October, following NPHET advice in light of the high level of disease in the community at that time and the uncertain trajectory of the disease, was that the remaining aspects of the hospitality, entertainment and night-time economy sector can reopen only with the full range of protective measures in place and the wide and robust implementation of the EU Digital COVID Certificate. So while we were in a position to allow the reopening of the sector as planned from 22 October for the live performance and nightlife sector, and businesses across the country did reopen, further engagement was necessary with the sector to ensure appropriate protocols were in place to mitigate the risks of further community transmission.

Following the Government decision on the need to maintain protective measures, a meeting was called by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for the following day with the sector and was attended by officials in my Department.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media continued to engage with stakeholders to tease out various operational issues and to complete the drafting of regulations and guidelines to come into effect for 29th October last. My officials also attended these meetings.

The regulations and guidance have now been published and the sector have fully clarity on how to operationalise the decision.