Due to the unique nature and scale of the St Patrick’s Day festivities, in terms of size, the mass gathering of local and international travellers, and the continued progression of community transmission in some European countries, along with the emergence of a small number of cases of local transmission in Ireland, the Government has decided that St Patrick’s Day parades, including the Dublin parade, will not proceed. This is based on the advice of the National Public Health Emergency Team. The situation in relation to other events and mass gatherings remains under review and any response will be guided by the NPHET which meets again tomorrow, along with the public health advice.
The Committee was chaired by An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and received briefings from relevant Ministers and officials, including the Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Executive of the Health Service Executive.
The Cabinet Committee considered:
- The latest information regarding the outbreak of Covid-19;
- The ongoing public health response;
- The response underway in the Health Service and the future actions required;
- The actions being taken and future actions that may be required on a national basis across all Government Departments and Agencies;
- Income support for employees and the self-employed who may be affected through illness or self-isolation;
- Financial support for businesses who may be affected by adverse trading conditions.