Relaxation of Restrictions, Part XII *Read OP For Mod Warnings*

Just FYI, I wasn't singling out you or any individual poster by my comment. I think everyone is getting emotional about this situation. I personally agree with many of the points you were making and I am constantly exasperated by the conflation of (as an example) "anti-vaxxer" with being opposed to the imposition of vaccine passports to avail of services within your own community. There are valid points to discuss around social cohesion, precedents being established, and the long-term implications of such a system as we do not have a clear direction back to normality. I'm equally exasperated to see people scream "totalitarian" or "coward" at others who are desperate to get back to a more normal lifestyle and see this system as a valid compromise; I don't agree with them but it's possible to at least see how they reached their point of view, to discuss it, and to try to convince them of the validity of your concerns (which IMO most of your posts were doing). This thread would be so much more interesting if there were a little more civility..

I know, someone's about to ask me "first time on the Internet?" 😂

oooof taxi for taxiperson

Now that it's been established that us vaccinated people can get the virus and pass it on, vaccine passports to go into a McDonalds really is a complete absurdity.

But then it's an absurdity amongst many absurdities which make up the Safety Theatre so many still cling to.

Sit down inside for a sandwich - no mask. Go into Spar to buy a paper - mask.

I can get on a flight to a country with completely different rules, catch the Mandingo Variant and fly back, into my local boozer, no mask, not a bother, but some unvaccinated young fella in no danger and with a clean antigen test has to stand outside.

I suppose it all comes down to trust. I do not trust the Irish state to do things sensibly or efficiently, particularly when it comes to health.We are a nation of arse coverers and me feiners.

Oh for the love of god, refusing a license isn't unconstitutional.

You can't challenge a licence refusal for EP with the oh look at Belfast being the reasoning behind you nor on unconstitutional grounds.

The marathon we've been over that already so I wont repeat it.

I don't think you sensed the sarcasm in the post.

If your argument is resorting to "well at least refusing the Marathon or EP wasn't unconstitutional" we're in a pretty bad place. We're so beaten down at this stage that we're happy to accept that events like EP or a Marathon or even a simple Parkrun can't take place for "our safety". And nobody is really willing to shout stop to all this utter nonsense. But never fear, we'll have a roadmap for a plan in the next few weeks apparently.

Search Google

There isn't another country in Europe that restricts going for a cup of tea or a bite to eat indoors to vaccinated only. Any other country operating a Covid-pass also has the option of tests. Even France with their heavy handed approach allows tests to gain access. We're more restricted than that here.

I'm not aware of any other country in Europe that limits outdoors gatherings to 200 or 500 at sporting events (unless of course you get onto a special "pilot" list and even then have very limited crowds).

A simple no would suffice.

It was from socialising after matches that caused the problems. I for one was grateful for GAA when there wasnt' much to do

There is only so much netflix you can take

Except the EP licence refusal wasn't unconstitutional, they applied for a licence that currently can't be given. Therefore the only option was to refuse it. Laois CC literally didn't have any other option available to them.

It's very simple. No laws broken, planning acts followed etc. They can appeal it but as we are today, it would be refused on appeal as well.

whether we think an event can go ahead or not is irrelevant really, I think both could go ahead but my opinion doesn't really matter when it comes to the events being given the go ahead, all that's relevant is the planning laws around the applications and currently they don't allow it. Until that changes, any event that applies for a licence above the currently allowed limits just gets refused.

Like many other posts we're going around in circles here

Yup, extends past Ireland as well though. Sure only today we're told no away fans allowed into the Ireland game in Portugal in 2 weeks time... 2 weeks, not exactly much notice and another example of a lack of forward planning this time from UEFA & FIFA. Luckily I can get money back on flights and free cancelation of accommodation.

Yeah and then mental health comes into play with this kind of crap too

Imagine what a boost it would be to have a plan now and know how to get out of this mess but no instead we have all these 'experts' saying 'nope were not there yet and Life will never be the same' etc

Giving a bit of hope going into the Autumn/Winter is not that hard. Lingering thoughts of last year and how easy it was to decided to lock us down again so easily