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Government to ‘engage’ with Electric Picnic festival organisers

The Cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee met today to discuss the next steps in the easing of restrictions.

THE GOVERNMENT SAID today it will be consulting with the organisers of the Electric Picnic music and arts festival over the weekend.

Earlier today, Culture Minister Catherine Martin said she was exploring “all possible options” regarding the hosting of the event.

On Wednesday, Laois County Council said it could not revisit or reconsider its decision to refuse a licence for the festival to be held this year.

This came as a blow to organisers after chief medical officer Dr Tony Holohan said he would have no concerns about the event taking place with only fully-vaccinated people in attendance.

In a statement released today, following a meeting of the Covid-19 Cabinet sub-committee, a Government spokesperson said there will be “further engagement over the weekend across Government and also with the organisers of Electric Picnic”.

The Cabinet Covid-19 sub-committee met today to discuss the next steps in the easing of restrictions.

The spokesperson said:

The subcommittee received presentations from officials on various matters including the most recent Nphet advice, progress of the vaccine programme and current situation with health services.
Possible next steps were discussed and it was agreed to adjourn until Monday.
At Monday’s meeting, the draft plan will be discussed, prior to full Cabinet consideration on Tuesday.

It is understood the Government will next week give the green light to the return of live music events in September.

The industry has been highly critical of the Government in recent days and has called for clarity about when live music will be permitted to return.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting of the sub-committee, Transport Minister Eamon Ryan declined to say whether or not Electric Picnic would go ahead.

“The meeting today wasn’t to decide yes or no to a particular event,” he said.

Read our liveblog on all of today’s restrictions discussions, as they evolved throughout the day.

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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:46 PM

    Leave it go. Next year is good. We don’t need huge numbers presenting with covid coming into hospitals for the autumn. Our front line staff need a break.

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    Mute Captain 'Fully Pfizered' Unsensible
    Favourite Captain 'Fully Pfizered' Unsensible
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:49 PM

    @Dave Barrett: Money grabbing promotors looking to line their pockets, bigging it up to try convince all the whole country is crying out for EP…far from reality

    107
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    Mute Declan Doherty
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:57 PM

    @Captain Unsensible: This isn’t about promoters. This is about the thousands of ordinary people who have had zero income for the last year and a half and who still have mortgages and rent to pay. You’re lucky you get make glib comments but this is about people’s bread and butter.

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    Mute The Firestarter
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    Aug 27th 2021, 7:05 PM

    @Captain ‘Fully Pfizered’ Unsensible: How are they money grabbing, they’ve had no income for nearly two years. Obviously easy for you to sit on your high horse condemning those trying to get back to work, not to mention the joy and normality it will bring to 70,000 people.

    44
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    Mute Toon Army
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    Aug 27th 2021, 10:08 PM

    @The Firestarter: Absolutely. Time to find a way to make it happen for the good of the country.

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    Mute Daryl Walsh
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    Aug 27th 2021, 10:34 PM

    @Dave Barrett: Don’t go if you don’t want to, simple as.

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    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:40 PM

    One quote I saw today: “Hand over the Electric Picnic to the GAA and it’ll be back on within hours’

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    Mute John Duggan
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:35 PM

    This government aren’t fit to clear up after the elephants at Dublin zoo; it’s a circus, all lead by the amazing spineless man Micheal Martin.

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    Mute ed w
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:41 PM

    @John Duggan: Michael Martin a man permanently on the back foot

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:44 PM

    @John Duggan: who would you suggest be put in charge?

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    Mute Captain 'Fully Pfizered' Unsensible
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:47 PM

    @John Duggan: That’s zookeepers you are thinking of, if you have any concerns on the ability of zookeepers or the welfare of the animals under their care, you can contact zoo management directly, I hope conditions in the ape enclosure are better ?

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    Mute John Duggan
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    Aug 27th 2021, 6:57 PM

    @Paul Furey: hypothetically, if I was given the ability to simply “put” someone in charge, I would look at the likes of Catherine Connolly or Paschal Donohoe. Basically people who stand for things. The problem with Micheal Martin is that because he has no core principles or vision he reacts (poorly) to events rather than drive an agenda.

    @Captain: I have no idea what your point is.

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    Mute Paul Furey
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    Aug 27th 2021, 7:02 PM

    @John Duggan: no point there at all. Just wondering who you think fit to lead the country. I wouldn’t go near Donohoe, loves over stressing the first person when talking about all that he does. There’s hints of narcisism in the man.

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    Mute Mal Swan
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    Aug 27th 2021, 7:08 PM

    @Paul Furey: Michael O’Leary, no brainer ;)

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    Mute Albert Brennerman
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    Aug 27th 2021, 9:43 PM

    Like to see the venues,weddings, pubs where 98% of musicians make their wage get back. Get the live music scene up, these people are paying mortgages, school books etc. The Electric picnic is not the 98%.of live industry not even 2%.

    This obsession with running a 70K full capcity Festival in a village is self serving and selfish. Many of the venues in this outdoor event likely clasify as indoor they are closed big tent arena’s. . There are vulnerable people in this area kids, mothers and those unable to be vacinnated. The festival population is not segregated and cannot segregate from the local area usually. .Vulnerable people who live in this area are then very exposed. We know it rises case number locally and its not by a small number. Thats Even with all the precautions incluced we don’t have our own numbers but we have the others. This is why any Locals are vehemently opposed to it.

    The event license is there to protect people due to previous loss of life at poorly prepared events RESPECT IT.
    Its currently akin to campaigning for road speed increases. .
    Respect the process or own the consequences. . .

    .

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    Mute Sean
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    Aug 28th 2021, 8:16 AM

    @Albert Brennerman: Almost 5,000 Covid cases were linked to Cornish music and surf festival Boardmasters even though they tried to make the festival as Covid safe as possible so festivals do cause an increase in cases no-one could deny that. Some would say though that’s called getting on with life now that such a large proportion are double-vacced (and yes I think we all know by now it doesn’t fully protect against infection or transmission).

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    Mute Sharron Mcquaid
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    Aug 27th 2021, 7:23 PM

    Surely the Mexican Ambassador should be brought in at this point!!!

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    Mute David Saunders
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    Aug 27th 2021, 7:39 PM

    Too little to late

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    Mute Karl Phillips
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    Aug 28th 2021, 11:45 AM

    Have the event in Croke Park, Artane Boys Band played in front of 40 K at the hurling final and the Sons of Eireann will only be delighted with the extra loot.

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    Mute Wade Wilson
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    Aug 30th 2021, 1:59 PM

    If only this government cared as much about the housing crisis or hospital crisis and would do anything about that. Seems like the only issues they want to deal with involve the GAA or concerts.

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