Sir, – The many reports and interviews this week on the live events sector are succinctly covered by Mark Paul ("Are we in the grip of a Nphet-imposed 'culture of fear'?", Business, August 20th). That Catherine Martin, as the responsible Minister, was shut out of the very committee meeting to discuss the reopening of live events speaks volumes.
Time and again over the past 18 months the approach has been a total shutdown, followed by intense lobbying. The response has many promises and hopes, but ultimately little or no action as Government does nothing in the belief the situation will remedy itself. The “pilot” events in the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin, which were devoid of the joy typical of the live concert experience, seem a long time ago. Despite the exceptional uptake of vaccinations, we are no further on. Different sectors across this economy have demonstrated immense patience. However, Government have only been spurred into action at the last possible moment: witness the unnecessary delay in restarting travel under EU regulations. The debate over antigen testing, which is an enabler for live events across Europe, has gone silent. We are not being served by this timid approach.
From bitter experience I can only expect that all this sound and fury will ultimately signify nothing. Local artists will be left behind; touring artists are already bypassing Ireland. We will all be worse off. – Yours, etc,
JOE MAY,
Dundalk,
Co Louth.