Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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257. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will introduce pharmacy-led antigen testing for entry into hospitality. [57164/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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At present, in line with public health Regulations, access to indoor dining may be granted to permitted persons with acceptable proof of immunity and also to children accompanying such permitted persons. I am not aware of any plans at present to provide for a negative antigen test to replace or supplement the current requirement for proof of immunity in order to access indoor hospitality. Any initiative in this regard would have to be informed by the latest public health advice from NPHET and the work of the Rapid Testing Advisory Group which is chaired by Professor Mary Horgan.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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258. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason persons can attend a wedding reception without a valid EU Digital COVID Certificate but require a certificate to get into a hotel or restaurant. [56746/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Since 26 July, general indoor hospitality has been permitted to reopen for adults who are able to demonstrate proof of COVID-19 vaccination or immunity following recovery from COVID-19, as well as for accompanied minors in their care. Guests attending a wedding reception are not required to show such proof of immunity. This position is consistent with the approach throughout the period of the pandemic, during which time the Government has made special provision for weddings in view of the importance of these occasions to couples and the level of planning that is involved for couples and their families.

Notwithstanding this position, individuals and businesses are continually reminded to monitor the ongoing risk from COVID-19 and to take personal responsibility as they take steps individually and collectively to keep this risk under control. The current high level of COVID-19 infection and the dominance of the significantly more transmissible Delta variant poses a very substantial threat, particularly to those who are not fully-protected through vaccination. Accordingly, we understand that the NPHET’s advice remains that those who are unvaccinated should avoid congregated indoor settings for their own and others safety.