Vaccine certs will be needed to reopen indoor concerts and events next month, the Arts Minister has said.

Speaking after a meeting with representatives of the live events sector this morning, Catherine Martin said she was optimistic about the return of gigs early next month.

The Cabinet sub-committee on COVID is meeting again this evening to finalise the latest roadmap for reopening – with a number of restrictions expected to ease towards the end of next month.

The plan will go before a full meeting of Cabinet tomorrow before it is published.

“Minister Martin said this morning’s meeting was a “very positive engagement with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste.”

“It was timely given that it happened ahead of the COVID committee meeting this evening,” she said. “I am positive.”

“What I was looking for is an early phased return in September for live music and events and I remain optimistic about that before we go into this meeting.

“The industry has always been clear that dates are needed and that is what will be provided tomorrow. They need that clarity and that will be provided.”

She said indoor dance and arts classes will also return “in a phased way” next month, noting that they involve more than 250,000 children.

She said vaccine certs would likely be required in the early phases of the return of indoor live music.

“I believe so, for that first phase, to make sure that we can have them reopen and performing again I think that would be required for the indoor entertainment in September,” she said.

She also noted that the Government is still engaging with the organisers of Electric Picnic in the hope the festival can go ahead in some form next month.

Reporting from Stephen Murphy