In a newly released statement, the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland (MEAI) has welcomed the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and announced their plans to help rebuild the sector.

"This is a momentous day for the Music & Entertainment sector, said Tony O'Brien on behalf of MEAI. "After 680 days of restrictions, our industry is finally free to return and re-open."

"680 days of adversity, being unable to work in any meaningful way, of financial hardship, and of major mental anguish and despair. It has been an unimaginable journey which has affected so many workers in this sector in so many different ways."

"As we face this return to normality we are conscious that this will be another difficult journey for the months ahead."

The representative association acknowledged the "many failings" in the music industry that were brought to light by the COVID-19 pandemic and outlined their plan to address them.

"Our sector has been decimated and needs to be rebuilt. The pandemic has questioned our value and identity as professionals, and we must challenge that and improve the recognition and quality of our lives as professionals in this sector," O'Brien continued.

"MEAI’s focus since its establishment was the security and protection of the people and the sector during this pandemic. Now we must move our focus to those other issues which need solutions. Over the next few weeks and months we will announce the steps we have taken behind the scenes to develop MEAI as a formal representative body with official membership."

"We face tomorrow with some apprehension, maybe a sense of disbelief, but most of all with hope and optimism that the worst is behind us and brighter days are ahead. We must work towards a better future in ensuring that we, as a sector, never have to endure the hardship that we have experienced for the last 680 days."

The group thanked Taoiseach Micheál Martin and his government for their assistance throughout the pandemic, as well as the members of the Music & Entertainment Cross Party Committee.

"Finally, thank you to the media who helped in so many ways to give our sector a voice at local and national level, and helped raise awareness of the plight of the industry."

After an official address from Taoiseach Micheál Martin last Friday (January 21), almost all of Ireland's COVID-19 restriction have been lifted, paving the way for gigs to come back to the country.

Some of the musicians already slated to perform in Ireland this year are Olivia Rodrigo, Harry Styles, David Gray, Wolf Alice, Spirit of the Beehive, Just Mustard and Primal Scream.