It's an "insult" to the entertainment sector that 40,000 people are allowed to attend a match at Croke Park while large live gigs still aren't allowed, Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry says.
The Sligo-Leitrim TD says it's time to put in place a strategy to get "back to a fully functional society".
He was speaking after the Taoiseach yesterday said a roadmap for reopening all sectors of society will be published on August 31st.
Micheál Martin warned that the peak of the current wave of COVID-19 may not come until towards the end of September.
He said he understood the frustration for sectors like live events that haven't been able to open yet, but clarity will come soon on the “next phase” of reopening.
It comes as senior ministers reportedly remain divided on the return of live events such as large-scale concerts and festivals.
Indoor concerts still aren't allowed, while organised outdoor events are still limited to just 200 or 500 people (depending on the size of the venue).
A number of small live concerts have taken place nationally in recent weeks, but most have been trial events and reliant on State funding.
Despite that, 40,000 of hurling fans will be able to attend Croke Park for Sunday's All Ireland final - half of the stadium's usual capacity.
Deputy MacSharry told The Pat Kenny Show he believes the way some sectors have been treated is a "disgrace".
He argued: “When it comes to COVID, as with so many things in Irish society, depending on who the protagonists are, different rules apply.
"I think it makes a mockery and an insult to the entertainment community to say you can have 40,000 people at Croke Park… yet musicians can’t have a live gig."
Deputy MacSharry suggested Ireland has failed to develop a strategy for living with COVID.
He said there'll always be some percentage of the population who won't get vaccinated, but it's important to get back to a functioning society while also preparing the health service for any breakthrough infections.
Indoor entertainment
Martin Kenny, Sinn Féin TD for Sligo-Leitrim, also believes more can be done when it comes to reopening.
He observed: “I think we have an issue particularly with the hospitality sector and indoor entertainment.
"If people have the vaccine and can show a vaccine card, I think it should be appropriate to go there.
“We need to be finding a way we can open up entertainment venues… in a safe way.”
He suggested the Government now needs to recognise antigen testing has a role to play in reopening, despite the ongoing reluctance from Dr Tony Holohan and NPHET over the wide use of the rapid tests.
Deputy Kenny said he thinks we can open up an “awful lot more" than we've seen so far.
He suggested that nobody wants a "free for all" when it comes to the next steps in reopening, but argued that more can now be done safely.
