“Rather than finger wagging, I think we have to look at how do we better prepare for that.”
Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has said that “finger wagging” isn’t the solution to large outdoor gatherings.
Harris’s comments come as Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr Tony Holohan said that he was “absolutely shocked” by what he described as a “major open air party” in Dublin City Centre last Saturday.
Despite the comments sparking controversy in recent days, Holohan doubled down on his views on Wednesday, describing the crowds as “like Jones’ Road on a day of an All-Ireland”.
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland on Thursday, Simon Harris said that while he has “nothing but praise” for Holohan’s work, he doesn’t think that “finger wagging” is the correct response to the gatherings.
“I think Dr Tony Holohan has just steered our country through a very difficult time and I’ve nothing but praise and gratitude for his work,” he said.
“I think what happened last weekend, and this is not in any way a judgement, we had really good weather, we had lots of people who wanted to meet up and see people outdoors, they had been told outdoors was safer and they didn’t have many places to go.
“And that caused congregation. So rather than finger wagging, I think we have to look at how do we better prepare for that.
“How do local authorities better prepare and I do think as we see more places open now there will be more places for people to meet.”
Harris added that some city councils need to “up their game” and better prepare for the possibility of crowds.
The Minister also said that he believes the country will be in a “different situation” once outdoor dining reopens as there will be more places for people to go.
“On the broader issue I think our councils really need to up their game in this regard. In Dún Laoghaire Rathdown they seem to have done a very good job preparing, some haven’t,” he continued.
“I do think we’re going to be at a different situation when the reopening of outdoor dining and outdoor pubs starts from Monday.”
Harris’ comments come after St Stephen’s Green’s popular Victorian Bandstand has been fenced off after damage from “vandalism and anti-social behaviour”.
After images of the Dublin city park’s bandstand cordoned off from the public began circulating on social media on Wednesday, JOE reached out to the Office of Public Works (OPW) to ask why the measures were taken.
In response, the OPW told JOE: “The Green encompasses a number of important features including the Victorian Bandstand. We want visitors to enjoy the Green, but OPW must also protect vulnerable historic features from vandalism and anti-social behaviour.
“In order to protect the historic bandstand from any further damage, a decision was taken to erect fencing to protect the structure.”
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