The Government will not bring in new laws to allow only fully vaccinated people attend outdoor gigs like Electric Picnic because they want to move away from such restrictions, the Irish Mirror understands.
While Dr Tony Holohan is expected to advise the Government to wait between four to six weeks before they begin to ease any more restrictions.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will announce a major roadmap next week which will give a timeline for the lifting of all remaining Covid-19 restrictions.
Laois County Council said they would not reverse their decision to cancel this year’s Electric Picnic after the Chief Medical Officer raised hopes that such events could go ahead for those who were fully vaccinated.
Laois County Council has said it won’t do a u-turn on their decision to cancel Electric Picnic despite pleas from festival bosses.
The council said it cannot legally revisit its previous refusal of an event licence for Electric Picnic and that statutory timelines would not allow for the processing of a new application in time for the original date.
They said the decision to refuse the license earlier this month was based on HSE advice and Government regulations at that time.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly had said early on Wednesday that the Cabinet would consider it.
But a senior Government source said on Wednesday night there are no plans for vaccine passes to be used for major outdoor live events.
The source said: “Vaccine passes were only created for the reopening of indoor hospitality and there is a sunset clause in which this measure is due to expire in October.
“The Government is not going to legislate for specific outdoor events.
“On practical terms it doesn’t make any sense given the announcement next week will see a move towards less restrictions and more of a personal responsibility approach.
“Why would the Government create legislation for an event when we’re moving towards 90% of people fully vaccinated?”
The source added “it is between MCD and Laois county council to sort out” whether the council accept the proposals and conditions outlined to them by Electric Picnic organisers. Culture Minister Catherine Martin will meet with representatives of the live sector next Monday, in a meeting that will be attended by both the Taoiseach and Tánaiste.
The Government source noted that Dr Tony Holohan had signalled in his comments during a NPHET briefing on Tuesday that he believed it would take between four to six weeks before the country could reach maximum vaccination of the population.
Dr Holohan has said he intends to give the Government vaccine targets which should be met before any further easing of restrictions occurs.
It means vaccine passes could no longer be required for people to enter pubs and restaurants.
NPHET met on Wednesday and Dr Holohan was sending updated advice to the Government ahead of a Cabinet sub-committee meeting on Friday.
That meeting will aim to draft up the roadmap of the easing of restrictions before its signed off by Cabinet Ministers next Tuesday.
Health Minister Stephen Donnelly has said the Government will proceed with the relaxation of restrictions as planned but will also heed NPHET’s updated advice.
NPHET are expected to warn the Government about the impact infections in unvaccinated people is having on unvaccinated children and fully vaccinated older people.
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