Taoiseach signals review in wake of Garth Brooks debacle

Operational guidelines covering major public events are to be examined in the light of the controversy surrounding the Garth Brooks concerts, the Dáil was told.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he had asked Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan to carry out the review of the timeline requirements for the submission of applications by event organisers. Considering applications by the relevant planning authorities in advance of events, and the absence of a specific appeals mechanism, would also be considered, he added.

"I am as disappointed as anyone else that Ireland has lost this major musical event involving an international artist whose appeal is global in many respects,

" said Mr Kenny.

It was true to say, he added, that the loss to the economy would be in the order of €50 million, that 400,000 fans were due to turn up, 70,000 coming from abroad, and 200,000 accommodation bookings made.

“I have received a deluge of messages from people who bought tickets and who had made arrangements in respect of making a day of it with their families or friends,” he added.

The Taoiseach was replying to Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin who said there was an air of disbelief about what would have been a major economic project in its own right not proceeding. Many people believed that the cost to the city would be far greater than the estimated €50 million, said Mr Martin.

All three of the One Direction concerts held at Croke Park recently passed without incident, he said. “It appears that at no stage were the promoters or the GAA informed that licences would not be granted for all five Garth Brooks concerts,” he said.

Surely, the Government should have intervened at some point in the debacle, he added. “Why did the Government not intervene in a hands-on way?” he added.

Mr Martin said his party colleague Timmy Dooley had drafted legislation which would provide a mechanism to facilitate appeals and to allow reviews by the Minister for the Environment.

“I am of the view that the Opposition would support the Government were it to facilitate legislation of that kind, particularly in light of the significant economic implications involved,” he added.

Mr Kenny said that if the Government introduced emergency legislation, it would be accused of doing down the rights of residents and interfering with the planning process that the city council had a duty and a responsibility to deal with.

The Government was bound to have a period of public consultation, he added. “It is not a case of simply introducing emergency legislation through the Dáil tomorrow,” he said.

Ireland, said the Taoiseach, had been renowned for the reception and welcome given to so many major outdoor events. They had been going on for years and had been planned without any great difficulties other than the usual failings whereby people might get into trouble on the fringes.