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        <TLCPerson eId="FergusODowdFG" href="/ie/oireachtas/member/id/Fergus-O'Dowd.S.1997-09-17" showAs="Fergus O'Dowd"/>
        <TLCPerson eId="JimOCallaghan" href="/ie/oireachtas/member/id/Jim-O'Callaghan.D.2016-10-03" showAs="Jim O'Callaghan"/>
        <TLCPerson eId="MickBarry" href="/ie/oireachtas/member/id/Mick-Barry.D.2016-10-03" showAs="Mick Barry"/>
        <TLCPerson eId="PeadarToibin" href="/ie/oireachtas/member/id/Peadar-Tóibín.D.2011-03-09" showAs="Peadar Tóibín"/>
        <TLCPerson eId="ReadaCronin" href="/ie/oireachtas/member/id/Réada-Cronin.D.2020-02-08" showAs="Réada Cronin"/>
        <TLCPerson eId="SeanCanney" href="/ie/oireachtas/member/id/Seán-Canney.D.2016-10-03" showAs="Seán Canney"/>
        <TLCPerson eId="StephenDonnelly" href="/ie/oireachtas/member/id/Stephen-Donnelly.D.2011-03-09" showAs="Stephen Donnelly"/>
        <TLCRole eId="Health" href="/ie/oireachtas/role/office/health" showAs="Health"/>
        <TLCRole eId="Minister_for_Health" href="/ie/oireachtas/role/minister/health" showAs="Minister for Health"/>
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    <preface>
      <block name="title_ga">
        <docTitle>DÍOSPÓIREACHTAÍ PARLAIMINTE</docTitle>
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      <block name="title_en">
        <docTitle>PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES</docTitle>
      </block>
      <block name="proponent_ga">
        <docProponent>DÁIL ÉIREANN</docProponent>
      </block>
      <block name="proponent_en">
        <docProponent>DÁIL ÉIREANN</docProponent>
      </block>
      <block name="status_ga">
        <docStatus>TUAIRISC OIFIGIÚIL</docStatus>
      </block>
      <block name="status_en">
        <docStatus>(OFFICIAL REPORT)</docStatus>
      </block>
      <block name="date_ga">
        <docDate date="2021-04-21">Dé Céadaoin, 21 Aibreán 2021</docDate>
      </block>
      <block name="date_en">
        <docDate date="2021-04-21">Wednesday, 21 April 2021</docDate>
      </block>
      <block name="volume">
        <docNumber refersTo="#vol_1005">Vol. 1005</docNumber>
      </block>
      <block name="number">
        <docNumber refersTo="#no_7">No. 7</docNumber>
      </block>
      <block refersTo="#unrevised" name="version_en">
        <docStatus/>
      </block>
      <block refersTo="#unrevised" name="version_ga">
        <docStatus/>
      </block>
    </preface>
    <debateBody><debateSection name="writtenAnswer" eId="dbsect_1402">
          <heading>Covid-19 Pandemic<recordedTime time="2021-04-21T22:27:00+01:00"/></heading>
          <question by="#ReadaCronin" to="#Health" eId="pq_1655">
            <p eId="para_13672">1655. <b>Deputy Réada Cronin</b> asked the <b>Minister for Health</b> when clarity will be provided to couples planning weddings in May 2021 as to their guest numbers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18577/21]</p>
          </question>
          <question by="#JimOCallaghan" to="#Health" eId="pq_1663">
            <p eId="para_13673">1663. <b>Deputy Jim O'Callaghan</b> asked the <b>Minister for Health</b> his plans to extend up to 25 the number of persons who can attend weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18592/21]</p>
          </question>
          <question by="#PeadarToibin" to="#Health" eId="pq_1782">
            <p eId="para_13674">1782. <b>Deputy Peadar Tóibín</b> asked the <b>Minister for Health</b> the date on which a minimum of 25 persons will be allowed to attend weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18960/21]</p>
          </question>
          <question by="#MickBarry" to="#Health" eId="pq_1873">
            <p eId="para_13675">1873. <b>Deputy Mick Barry</b> asked the <b>Minister for Health</b> his plans for weddings under the phased easing of restrictions that have recently been announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19195/21]</p>
          </question>
          <question by="#SeanCanney" to="#Health" eId="pq_1912">
            <p eId="para_13676">1912. <b>Deputy Seán Canney</b> asked the <b>Minister for Health</b> when restrictions will be lifted for weddings; and the numbers that will be allowed. [19280/21]</p>
          </question>
          <question by="#FergusODowdFG" to="#Health" eId="pq_1921">
            <p eId="para_13677">1921. <b>Deputy Fergus O'Dowd</b> asked the <b>Minister for Health</b> if he will respond to correspondence and proposals by a person (details supplied) in relation to weddings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19298/21]</p>
          </question>
          <speech by="#StephenDonnelly" as="#Minister_for_Health" eId="spk_1663">
            <from>Minister for Health<recordedTime time="2021-04-21T22:27:00+01:00"/></from>
            <p eId="para_13678">I propose to take Questions Nos. 1655, 1663, 1782, 1873, 1912 and 1921 together.</p>
            <p eId="para_13679">Level 5 restrictive measures currently remain in place. Any measures introduced at any level of the Plan are aimed at limiting the spread and damage of COVID-19 and are necessary to protect our key priorities of supporting and maintaining health and social care services, keeping education and childcare services open and protecting the most vulnerable members of our communities. </p>
            <p eId="para_13680"> The Government announced a slight easing of restrictions from 12 April in recognition of the significant impact that the extended period of Level 5 restrictions is having on people. The focus of this easing of measures is on enabling more outdoor activities in order to improve the health and wellbeing of society. The situation will be subject to ongoing review taking account of the evolving epidemiological situation, the impact of the reopening of priority services, and available evidence in relation to vaccine deployment, uptake and effectiveness. The NPHET and the Government will consider the position again at the end of this month and it is anticipated that a roadmap for the further easing of measures over the coming months will be agreed, including in relation to weddings.</p>
            <p eId="para_13681"> Significant progress has been made on suppressing the virus due to the huge effort of our citizens. By working together, we have saved lives and limited the impact of the disease on society in Ireland. We all must continue to do everything possible to avoid the virus spreading.</p>
            <p eId="para_13682"> The Government's guidelines for weddings at all levels of the Framework are available at: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/resilience-recovery-2020-2021-plan-for-living-with-covid-19/</p>
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