Govt promises 'clear road map' for events by end of month

The Government will put in place a "clear road map" by the end of the month for the next phase of the removal of Covid-19 restrictions, including for the live music and arts sector, the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.

Speaking on RTÉ's Today with Philip Boucher Hayes, Simon Coveney said the Government is very aware that it has been "extraordinarily stressful" for the live events, music and arts sector.

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Mr Coveney said they are "rightly demanding certainty and timelines...and we will be able to give them that before the end of the month."

Representatives of the entertainment and events industry have said they are "deeply disappointed" with the outcome of a meeting yesterday with Minister for Arts Catherine Martin.

Mr Coveney said no one in Government is blocking efforts by Ms Martin to try and move the issue on but the Government is working collectively to "chart out a course for how to we manage the Covid-19 challenges"

He said the Cabinet Committee on Covid-19 will meet to get an update from the National Public Health Emergency Team and the focus for now is on getting schools back safely and for college campuses to re-open safely.

He said every minister would like to be on the committee, but neither of the education ministers are on it, despite their departments being central to the challenge posed by the virus.

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