Talks will take place next between Department of Defence officials and the regulator for emergency medical services to head off a threat to Civil Defence operations that could affect 600 festivals this year. The Civil Defence provides medical support services to festivals, but requires a licence from regulatory body the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) to do so. The licence is due for renewal in July and its application usually includes assurances from the Department of Defence. The association has engaged with councils, Civil Defence and the Department of Defence and would be meeting shortly with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council, said a spokesman. However, Anthea Atkinson, chairwoman of the Mary from Dungloe festival, said it no longer uses Civil Defence and so is unaffected by the current problems.

Source: The Irish Times May 09, 2019 18:56 UTC