Mr. Jim Keogan:

In regard to the points raised by Deputy Coffey, on the difference between zero concerts and five concerts, in the context of the venue itself – Croke Park – it is the beneficiary of permission granted in 1993 for three events under the terms of the permission. The legislation which now governs event licensing for musical events or special events attracting in excess of 5,000 people specifically identified that where venues had a permission, they held it and it was open to any applicant, venue owner or promoter to apply separately for additional events. Given the controversy that has surrounded special or musical events over the years in Croke Park, with the exception of 2009, the threshold has been of the order of three or four.

Deputy Coffey is right that there has been exceptional interest in this concert and artist. What has come out of all of this is that there is a huge popularity associated with him and also a huge economic benefit attached. However, there are also legitimate considerations that we had to take on board in arriving at the decision. In doing so, it was felt that it was reasonable, balanced and fair to have three concerts, having regard to all the competing interests. We had regard to the fact that it was over the weekend, on a par with what happened with One Direction, and that in itself it would have a substantial benefit on the economy of the city. It was felt that the cumulative effect of five consecutive concerts, which is unprecedented anywhere in the city, would have a very detrimental effect on the level of disruption that would arise to the surrounding area. As a licensing authority we had to have regard to the impact, the precedent that would be set and the level of intensity. We are talking about 82,000 people per night. Committee members might say that venues such as Kilmainham had four or five musical events in a season, but the capacity there is 8,500. There is a significant difference between a capacity of 8,000 and a capacity of 82,000 and the knock-on effect it would have on the surrounding area.

In response to Deputy Coffey’s question on why we allowed only three concerts, it was reasonable, balanced and fair. We did not ask the promoter to sell five concerts. He did not consult with us formally on our views before he sold the concert tickets. We had to deal with the situation when the tickets were sold. We also have a responsibility to adhere to due process and procedure.