The Managing Director of Festival Republic, which runs Electric Picnic, has said that he 'absolutely' can you go ahead with planning this year's festival following Dr Holohan's remarks.
During an interview on Prime Time, Melvin Benn of Festival Republic described the CMO's comments as a "fantastic surprise" and called on Laois County Council to reverse their decision to deny EP a licence.
During the most recent NPHET press conference, Dr Holohan signalled that NPHET would not have a “major concern” if Electric Picnic went ahead, provided only fully vaccinated people were allowed to attend.
When asked whether outdoor events such as Electric Picnic could be permitted for those who are fully vaccinated, Dr Holohan said “we wouldn’t have a major concern to express in public health terms about that if that could be achieved.”
He adds: “We wouldn't have a concern from a public health point of view to express about an event that happened that was confined to vaccinated people.
Speaking on RTE, Mr Benn said: " As far as I'm concerned and as far as Dr Holohan's concerned it, we absolutely can (go ahead with this year's event).
"We're calling on Laois County Council to reverse the decision. The entire premise of why they said the festival couldn't go-ahead has been overruled by Tony Holohan. He was very clear about it.
"Fully vaccinated is what we offered a month ago. I think it provides incredible safety and yes, we're absolutely calling on Laois County Council to reverse that decision. There is no reason whatsoever to continue with that decision, as far as I'm concerned. Tomorrow is the day that they can do that.
At present, the organisers of Electric Picnic have not had any communication from the government or Laois County Council about the festival's status.
However, Mr Benn is optimistic that the decision will be reversed.
"We heard nothing but the pressure is on them. I think of Laois County Council as a progressive council, a business-friendly council, a visitor-friendly council, and for me, any proactive council would now say, 'look, the decision that we made the entire premise on the basis of the decision that we made has now gone, according to the Chief Medical Officer.'
"Let's revisit that immediately, let's get the county working, let's get people back into Laois, let's get the festival going and let's have a wonderful time in an incredibly safe environment where everybody is fully vaccinated," said Benn.
As for the immediate future, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has met with the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media Catherine Martin to discuss the coming roadmap for the reopening of society, including the Live Entertainment and Arts sector.
It was agreed that a meeting with industry stakeholders will take place next Monday, attended by both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
This will follow the latest NPHET advice and the deliberations of a Covid sub-committee this Friday, which Minister Martin will attend.
