Following yesterday's Hurling All-Ireland – attended by 40,000 people in Croke Park, including the Taoiseach Micheál Martin – the Event Industry Alliance have issued a statement, calling for the reopening of the live entertainment and event sector.

The Event Industry Alliance are a cross-industry body, representing several affiliated groups – including EPIC (the Event Production Industry Covid-19 Working Group), AOIFE (the Association of Irish Festivals and Events), AIST (Association of Irish Stage Technicians), EIAI (Event Industry Association of Ireland), EII (Event Industry Ireland), IEOA (Irish Exhibition Organisers Association), ISG (Irish Showman’s Guild [Funfairs & Circuses]), WBA (Wedding Band Association) and VOPF (Venue Operators and Promoters Forum).

"35,000 Live Entertainment and Event workers after nearly 18 months remain banned from returning to work," the statement reads, "despite their proposals to Government that ‘Only Fully Vaccinated’ patrons be allowed attend full capacity shows from 1st September 2021, along with enhanced safety measures including but not limited to HSE contact tracing."

They go on the point out that the Taoiseach , Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister Stephen Donnelly were not in attendance at last Wednesday's live events sector virtual meeting. For the next meeting, taking place this Wednesday, August 25, the Event Industry Alliance are once again calling for "such individuals to attend, to show the €3.5 billion sector and its 35,000 workers and their families, the respect they deserve."

“This is a shameful indictment of Government, which demonstrates a clear and blatant disregard for the Live Entertainment and Event sector, and shows complete contempt for every Irish citizen,” commented Justin Green, Event Industry Alliance member and event promoter.

Concluding the statement, the Event Industry Alliance state: "An Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD must now consider his position which is clearly untenable, in light of the above."