Mr. Jim Keogan:

With regard to intensification, everybody accepts that from the start we were made aware of the number of concerts proposed and we always stated that the issue of the impact on the surrounding neighbourhood would be central to any assessment and subsequent decision on the licensing process. That was a consistent position from the start. Tickets had been sold and we had been notified but not consulted. I referred the last day to the desirability of having a formal pre-application consultation where frankness could prevail, as distinct from a position where there would be a liability of court proceedings arising from what is said or unsaid.

The Deputy raised the issue of intensification and I noted from Mr. Duffy's comments yesterday his suggestion that we may in some way try to curtail the number of sporting events taking place in Croke Park in future. That is not the intention and Dublin City Council, specifically the planning authority, has no problem with the number and intensity of sporting events in Croke Park. That is an established and approved use. Others may have difficulties but the planning authority has none. The profile of sporting events has only really arisen since the restructuring of the championship. There may be not more than two consecutive days where there is a sporting event, and it is only when the play-offs arise that events would take place on a Saturday and Sunday.

The concert issue is a very different type of use. It would involve a different type of crowd and timeframe, with a much later closing time. As it is a festival scenario, attendees would be more boisterous and there is associated noise. Sport is not an issue and we would welcome any opportunity to host the Rugby World Cup or any major European championship. That will not be an issue for the planning authority. The profile of concerts is an issue, as well as the cumulative effect of five nights of consecutive concerts. We were conscious of the widespread economic benefits accruing from this but there had to be a reasonable, balanced and fair approach to the licence applications. We struck on granting approval for three concerts.