Fine Gael Welcome Event Licensing Regulations Review

Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe has welcomed the announcement of a review of event licensing regulations by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Alan Kelly and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Paudie Coffey.

The review is being undertaken in an effort to avoid a situation similar to the one that occurred with the Garth Brooks concerts last summer.

The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport said the new structures will ensure that the confusion and conflict that arose last summer in respect of the scheduling of certain outdoor events is not repeated again in the future.

Minister Donohoe said: "Following on from the issues that arose over the summer months last year, Ministers Kelly and Coffey established a Review Group to look at licensing regulations in a bid to prevent a reoccurrence of events that was the cause of such difficulty for all involved. Event promoters, local residents and prospective concert goers each suffered a degree of hardship due to what was seen by some as an avoidable situation. These regulations now in place are the result of efforts by both Ministers, as well as other stakeholders, to increase certainty around this area. 

"Having a system in place that makes pre-application consultation meetings between event promoters and local authorities mandatory will ensure that everyone is on the same page. This should minimise the potential for confusion and conflict around the scheduling of events in the future. 

"Concerts and large outdoor events act as a draw here in Ireland for people from all over the world. These tourists often take advantage of big gigs by extending their stay to see what the rest of the country has to offer, thereby making a valuable contribution to our economy. Last summer had the potential to cast doubt over what is a valuable tourist offering. The changes being implemented take account of the views of various Government departments, Local Authorities, the main concert promoters in Ireland as well as members of the public and provide certainty for all involved for the future."

(MH/CD)