The government’s handling of updating live music guidelines is the “opposite” of what the sector asked for, an arts campaigner has said.
Failte Ireland’s latest guidelines for the hospitality industry allow up to 200 people to gather at an outdoor event with live music.
The changes were announced yesterday after the Katherine Zappone scandal in which the former minister organised a private party before she was nominated as a UN envoy. The event was held at the Merrion hotel in Dublin and was attended by 50 people, including friends and former government colleagues. Among those in attendance was Leo Varadkar, the tanaiste.
Varadkar last night apologised to the hospitality sector and the public for the “confusion” but added that the event at the Merrion did not breach any regulations or guidelines. “I do not believe the guidelines were breached, but I do accept that they were ambiguous and they’re open to interpretation,” he told RTE’s Six One News.
He added that he “probably let his guard down” but that he checked the event was in line with regulations by speaking to the hotel manager and event organiser. “We have made it very complicated for people and I do regret that, and part of my job now is to try and resolve that.”
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Angela Dorgan, National Campaign for the Arts chairwoman, said that while the updated guidelines were “fantastic” for artists and bands waiting to play a gig, they did not meet the sector’s calls for clarity and a reopening road map.
“This is the opposite of what we asked for,” Dorgan told The Times. “Yes this is great for many artists, but we need more clarity rather than this. We can’t have confusion any more and that is what we still have. When do indoor performance come into play — when can we get a plan for that? There have been nearly two years of restrictions. We need a plan.”
Live music is now permitted outdoors under the new rules, which say musicians must be a minimum of two metres from their audience. The updated guidelines mean multiple tables can be booked for outdoor parties. However, intermingling between tables is not permitted and everyone must leave the premises by 11.30pm.
A government spokesman said: “Following the advice by the attorney-general on August 4 that regulations do provide for organised outdoor events and gatherings up to 200 people, the relevant Failte Ireland guidelines have been updated today and are available now on the Failte Ireland website.”
Indoor organised events are not allowed, with the exception of weddings and non-social meetings, training and educational programmes. Wedding guest numbers are restricted to 100.
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Cathal Molloy, Wedding Band Association of Ireland founder, said Failte Ireland’s guidelines on weddings should similarly be updated to reflect the statutory instruments on Covid-19 regulations. These regulations say no live performance are permitted on premises “other than at a wedding” organised in accordance with public health. But Failte Ireland currently says live music is not permitted at wedding receptions.
“So, legally we can perform at weddings, we have had senior council confirm that, but the guidelines are not reflecting that or it is very vague and unclear,” Molloy said. “Hotels are of course following the Failte Ireland guidelines as they are expected to even though the law says otherwise.”
Molloy, who is in a wedding band himself, said the recent changes felt like “breadcrumbing”, where only some guidelines are updated while others remained unchanged. “It just makes no sense to us,” he said.
Jenny O’Donovan, an events singer, said that guidance should be further updated to allow for indoor performances at weddings. “I think it’s a bit mad that we can��t perform inside,” she said. “I was at a wedding last week and was singing at the ceremony in one room and at the other side of the double doors was the drinks reception and people were walking in and out of both rooms.”
O’Donovan added: “It doesn’t make sense. People attending weddings stay in one big group, they hug and kiss during the day, but by 9pm they can’t get up to dance even after mingling all day. There is a lot of people who perform only at smaller gigs, like in pubs, so the changes will open it up more for them.”
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The Irish Hotels Federation said in a statement yesterday that it welcomed the updated guideliness, adding that the clarification in relation to outdoor events, live music and performances, was “much-needed” for hospitality businesses. “It is another positive step toward the full reopening of Ireland’s wider tourism and hospitality industry,” it said.
“A clear road map is now required from the government to provide greater clarity around the lifting of remaining restrictions so that business can plan for the weeks and months ahead.”
The Licensed Vintners Association said on Twitter that it was seeking urgent discussions on the resumption of “all forms of music”, including live performances and DJs in indoor settings, alongside plans for the return of late bars and nightclubs.
Malcolm Noonan, the junior heritage minister, said yesterday that the updated guidelines clarified the “confusing” differences in the Failte Ireland guidelines and government regulations. Noonan told Newstalk that the government would “get to a point” where a road map can be delivered to the music industry. “From where we were a year ago, this is a fantastic move forward for the arts,” he said. Noonan added that there would be “further clarification” for weddings, as currently only outdoor weddings can have live music.
