Government is accused of discrimination over number of pilot arts and sporting events

Gavin James and Denise Chaila were among the headlining acts at the largest of the 22 pilot arts events, a concert at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham hosted by the Irish Museum of Modern Art. Picture: Leon Farrell

The Government has been accused of discrimination after 185 pilot sporting events were approved this summer, while just 22 arts events got the green light.

After the Government moved to loosen Covid-19 restrictions on attendances at outdoor events in recent months, 170 sporting events were approved by Statutory Instrument. Some of those events involved double-headers or triple-headers, which meant 185 sporting fixtures were specifically allowed to have spectators in attendance.