Electric Picnic organisers call for festival to proceed as Taoiseach to meet industry reps
Following the CMO’s comments, Melvin Benn of Festival Republic, said he is asking Laois County Council to “immediately reverse” the decision it took to refuse EP its festival license.
Electric Picnic’s organisers are calling on Laois County Council to allow the event take place this year following comments made by the Chief Medical Officer.
During today’s Nphet briefing, Dr Tony Holohan said public health officials “wouldn’t have a major concern” about an event such as Electric Picnic going ahead if it was only attended by those who are vaccinated.
“We wouldn't have a concern from a public health point of view to express about an event that happened that was confined to vaccinated people,” he said.
While vaccinated people can be symptomatic and transmit the disease to other vaccinated people, he said the risk of this was “very, very small.”
Following the CMO’s comments, Melvin Benn of Festival Republic, said he is asking Laois County Council to “immediately reverse” the decision it took to refuse EP its festival licence.
Mr Benn said it should be granted immediately in line with the CMO’s conditions - that everyone attending should be vaccinated.
“Exactly as we said a month ago,” he added.
Mr Benn added that this could be a “springboard to the future.”
“Change the decision Laois County Council and let’s have the Picnic. Tell us tomorrow and we are on our way.”
The anticipated number of guests at this year’s festival, should it go ahead, is up to 70,000 people per day.
Earlier this month, Laois County Council refused a licence to hold the 2021 Electric Picnic event "following the most up-to-date public health advice made available to the Council from the HSE."
In a statement, they said under current government guidelines, "events of this nature are restricted to an attendance of 500 people only."
The call comes as the Taoiseach announced he will meet with industry stakeholders following a meeting with the Minister for Arts on Tuesday.
Micheál Martin met with Minister Catherine Martin on Tuesday to discuss the coming roadmap for the reopening of society amid calls for the live music sector to reopen for the fully vaccinated.
increased pressure from the live entertainment sector after 40,000 people gathered in Croke Park on Sunday for the All Ireland Hurling final.[/url]
“It was agreed that a meeting with industry stakeholders will take place next Monday, attended by both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste,” a statement from the Taoiseach’s office said.
This will follow the latest Nphet advice and the deliberations of a Covid sub-committee this Friday, which Minister Martin will attend.
Catherine Martin met with industry representatives before her meeting with the Taoiseach, who was invited to the meeting but did not attend.
A source close to Ms Martin said that the meeting was "positive".
The government has promised a roadmap to give the sector “clarity” after a cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
