There needs to be a return to 100% audience capacity for live music events now

There needs to be a return to 100% audience capacity for live music events now - Tóibín

Aontú Leader and former Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Culture and the Gaeltact Peadar Tóibín TD has called for the government to facilitate 100% audience capacity for live music events now. He stated;

"Irish artists and musicians are facing 19 months of the severest income restrictions in the whole of Europe. This has put enormous economic strain on artists and musicians. in many cases people have struggled with mortgages, debt and being able to cover the everyday costs of living. The new rules in terms of increased audience numbers still mean making a living is outside the reach of many thousands of families relying on a salary from this sector".

The sector itself is hammered. Many people have simply left the sector and this will have significant repercussions for the cultural life of this country for years to come. In a country trying to deal with the enormous impact that Covid has had on physical, mental and social health, a strong arts and cultural sector is needed now more than ever.

If Music Festivals are safe enough in England for the Tánaiste, theyre safe enough in Ireland too. The government allowed Electric Pinic crash and burn in Ireland, and on the very weekend Electric Picnic was supposed to happen, the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar goes to a music festival in England instead. We have this ludicrous situation where Irish artists and musicians are touring the world right now to make a living but are prohibited in doing so in Ireland. Musicians in Ireland have a right to be furious over how they have been treated by this government. There is a clear hypocrisy in the Tánaiste failing to provide the necessary regulations to allow Electric Picnic to function and himself attending a music festival in England on the same weekend".

"Enough is enough. Allow the live music and entertainment sectors function safely".

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.