"Our musicians, it's time for them to perform again."
Arts Minister Catherine Martin has said she wants to see an easing of restrictions in September for Ireland's musicians and artists, stating "It's time for them to perform again."
The Minister made the comments before Friday afternoon's Covid-19 Cabinet sub-committee meeting to discuss plans to ease the remaining restrictions in place.
Asked what she wants to see signed off on today, she replied: "I want to see an easing of restrictions in September for our musicians, for our artists. I believe they've waited long enough and I want to see them getting back performing and doing what they do best and earning a living again."
On the likelihood of Electric Picnic going ahead, Martin said she would be discussing the matter with her colleagues today and said "all possible options" are being explored to facilitate the event.
Other issues to be examined at Friday's meeting include the rules under which live and indoor events could take place.
"At the minute, we have silence in our music. I think we've had enough of that silence. I want to hear music again. Our musicians, it's time for them to perform again," the Minister said.
On NPHET's proposal that more than 90% of people over-16 be vaccinated fully before the next easing of restrictions is considered, Martin said: "I'm looking for a return to music in September. I think that's a very hard target to reach.
"I think for this sector in particular, there's been a lot of changing the goal posts for them and I'm with them in saying 'enough is enough and can we perform again?'"
Main image via Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie
