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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Crowds at sporting events

Summary

Deputy Richmond asks whether live crowds can return to sporting and cultural events over the summer. The Tánaiste says he is optimistic, plans a Cabinet decision, and mentions trials of outdoor events with spectators in June and July.

Obviously, some major decisions will be made by the Government today and tomorrow on the next stages. I was wondering if consideration will be given not just to the trial roll-out but to an eventual roll-out which will see live crowds return to our sporting and cultural events around the country this summer. I know all our sports organisations, fans and supporters but particularly the players are very concerned to see them reopen in a safe manner, bearing in mind the very successful tests that have happened in the United Kingdom.

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Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I thank the Deputy. I am as keen as he is to get back to watching a match and getting back on the stands. I am increasingly confident that is going to be possible over the course of the summer. We will make a decision on this at the Cabinet meeting on Friday. I can say that the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Deputy Catherine Martin, and the Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, have worked out some plans to allow a number of trials of outdoor sporting events with spectators - thousands of spectators - to happen across June and July. Hopefully, we will be able to give the green light for that on Friday and, as well, allow resumption, not as trials but just in ordinary course, with smaller numbers like 50, 100 or 200 attending county grounds or smaller grounds.

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