Music industry officials slammed the government after 40,000 people watched the All Ireland senior hurling final at Croke Park yesterday, while the live entertainment industry remains on hiatus.

wind Industry Alliance, which represents a number of live event groups and the music industry, said the presence of Micheál Martin and Foreign Secretary Simon Coveney at Croke Park yesterday is a “blatant disregard For the live events industry.

They declared the Taoiseach’s position to be “untenable”.

“A Taoiseach Micheál Martin TD must now consider his position which is clearly untenable, in light of the above,” read a statement from the alliance released today.

Alliance member and event promoter Justin Green added; “This is a disgraceful indictment by the government, which demonstrates a clear and blatant disregard for the performing arts and events industry, and shows utter contempt for every Irish citizen.”

Representative groups from music and live events met with Arts and Culture Minister Catherine Martin last Wednesday and another meeting is scheduled this week.

Minister Martin could not give a date for the reopening of the sector and told the assembly that her ministerial colleagues had rejected a roadmap that she had proposed on August 6.

She has also requested to attend a Cabinet subcommittee on Covid-19, which makes most of the key decisions regarding the lifting of restrictions and her request was denied.

The minister is due to meet with live event groups again next Wednesday.

“A Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Ministers Leo Varadkar and Stephen Donnelly did not attend last Wednesday’s” Live Events Sector “virtual meeting despite requests from Arts and Culture Minister Catherine Martin TD,” the alliance statement added.

“A new meeting has been organized for this Wednesday, August 25, 2021 and we call again on these people to attend, to show the sector of 3.5 billion euros and its 35,000 workers and their families, the respect that they deserve.

“Why is the performing arts and events industry, the only sector forced to remain closed, still discriminated against by the government?”

The statement came a day after respected figures in the entertainment industry expressed anger and frustration at a video of fans gathered outside Croke Park on Sunday afternoon.

The video, which is shared widely on Twitter by a music photographer, shows crowds gathered in Portland Place this afternoon.

A number of people can be seen drinking pints, while others are gathered to talk to friends or make their way through the crowd at the game.

It has been viewed tens of thousands of times online, just hours after Minister Coveney defended the 40,000 people on RTÉ radio.

Sharing the video, violinist and singer Niamh Dunne wrote; “I watch and (obviously!) LOVE the game, but I also did an outdoor concert last night and only 80 people were allowed to attend, all masked, all two meters away from each other. ‘other. This is my 3rd live concert in 2 years. The other concerts were in the north and abroad. It’s hard not to be angry.

Musician Denice Doyle has been added; “How can any of us in the arts and entertainment industry be expected to endure these scenes?”

“I live a stone’s throw from Croke Park and it’s just heartbreaking! Shame on our government. Shame on you!”

And Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon wrote; “Delighted to all GAA fans that participation in matches is possible again, but it just isn’t credible to claim that what’s happening in Dublin today is safer than musicians performing in front of a few hundred of people inside. It’s not.”

Speaking to RTÉ Radio One earlier today, Minister Coveney said there was a “big difference” between all of Ireland’s last day and entertainment events.

“There is a big difference, it’s outside, it’s structured, it’s in a very large stadium. People will be separated in terms of social distancing and wearing masks, ”he said.

“We have worked with sports organizations to put a protocol in place to allow big events like this to happen, but happen in a controlled and managed way and that is what will happen in Croke Park today. ‘hui. “

He continued; “But I hope this is also a signal and an indication that we can live with Covid-19 and, despite the risk, we can organize big events.

“But we have to do it in a managed, careful and structured way.

“This is the first time in a very long time that this number of people will be in one place.”

The minister added that he suspected that a date in September would mark the reopening of the events industry.