Laois County Council says it can't reverse its decision to reject a licence for next month's Electric Picnic.
It says even if a new application is made, it wouldn't be possible to make a decision in time for September's event.
It follows the remarks by the Chief Medical Officer, where he said there would be no major public health concerns for large outdoor gatherings - providing everyone attending was vaccinated.
Laois County Council has released this statement: "A decision by Laois County Council to refuse the application for an event licence for the Electric Picnic 2021, issued on the 4th August 2021 pursuant to section 231 (3)(a) and (b) of the Planning and Development Act, as amended. The decision was based on the following reasons:
- Having regard to the up to date advise from the Health Services Executive in their statutory submission
- Having regard to government public health measures currently in place and made pursuant to the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 and the Health and Criminal Justice (Covid -19) (Amendment) Act 2021.
"There is no provision in law which enables Laois County Council to revisit that refusal or reconsider that application.
"Notwithstanding the comments emanating from yesterday’s press briefing from NPHET nothing has changed as regards advice from the HSE, nor has there been any change to the Government Public Health Measures in place in respect of hosting of outdoor events, from the position that pertained on the 4th August 2021.
"The Planning Authority, Laois County Council, further notes that even if a new application for an event licence is made, the statutory timelines do not allow for the processing of a new application to facilitate the event on the dates as intended in the application previously submitted."
Deadlines
Speaking earlier today, MCD Productions says it needs a decision tomorrow 'at the latest'.
Managing Director of MCD Denis Desmond, says there is a small window to play with if the festival is going to go ahead.
While last night, Melvin Benn of Festival Republic, said: "It’s hard for me to believe want I just read but I want to. We are asking Laois County Council to immediately reverse the decision it took to refuse the licence and grant it immediately in line with the CMO’s conditions: that everyone attending should be vaccinated, exactly as we said a month ago. What a springboard to the future this could be. Change the decision Laois County Council and let’s have the Picnic."
