Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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70. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if guidance has issued to cinemas and theatres regarding accepting certain forms of the EU Digital Covid Certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57719/21]

Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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Proofs for purposes of proof of immunity are outlined in Section 5 of Statutory Instrument 385/2021 Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021. This is available here: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2021/si/385/made/en/print.

The new Regulations S.I. No. 596 of 2021 and S.I. No. 597 of 2021 were published in Iris Oifigiuil on 19th November 2021. They lay down very detailed arrangements on the checking of vaccination status for all indoor events. In addition to publication, a copy of the regulations was sent to the cinema industry representatives and my Department has had ongoing engagement with the cinema industry on the matter.

The regulations also apply to theatres. In addition, the Arts Council’s Guidance for venues includes conditions in relation to the digital certificate as follows:

“Digital COVID Certificates or other relevant proofs of immunity provided for under SI 385 of 2021 should be requested on arrival. All patrons should also have proof of identity to confirm that COVID passes relate to them. This also applies to people under 18 attending underage events, when not accompanied by an adult. No record should be kept of a person’s immunity status however a record should be kept of all checks undertaken e.g. by means of a box check for each check undertaken.”