Mr. Jim Keogan:

We need to bear in mind that for the purposes of the Act it is not classified as a development. On a regular basis we would bring forward plans and particulars to the city council for its consideration. However, we are in a very different area here and there is a degree of flexibility among the music promoters regarding event licensing. Many of them have different contractual arrangements in place with different venues around the city. We could not bring anything into play that might adversely affect that.

The Deputy referred to pre-application consultation. We have already said today that hindsight would suggest to us that we would be very much hoping that it would be mandatory that formal pre-application consultations with minutes taken would take place with promoters prior to any tickets going on sale. I think that should be one of the key priority areas of the review of the legislative provisions that the Minister is considering. We would very much welcome that kind of arrangement.

As regard the structures we have in place, Mr. John Downey is the designated event co-ordinator. His responsibility is to work with the various agencies, promoters, and venue owners and managers to co-ordinate the events. He does that very successfully. He has developed a great relationship with the various bodies and agencies that oversee the process because the process is hugely important to the economy of the city. However, it is only through Mr. Downey's dedication that we get very good results. We had issues with particular venues over the years and Mr. Downey, through his dedication, has put in place protocols and procedures with the various agencies and representatives of the residents groups to ensure these issues are resolved satisfactorily. Regarding Croke Park, we have not managed to come to a conclusion as to the agreed way forward with regard to, for example, community representation and consultation.

Deputy Tom Fleming raised the issue of the economic aspects of it. I will ask Mr. Keegan to deal with that.