Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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The council's submission deals mainly with the licensing question, but I would have pointed to planning as the main issue. Mr. Keegan referred to the integrity of the planning system, but can he explain how holding more than three concerts in one year does not break Croke Park's remit under the planning regulations? Mr. Keegan stated that one could apply for a licence for more than three concerts. I have examined the legislation but cannot see that provision. Perhaps Mr. Keegan can point to where it can be found. Did he seek a legal opinion on the issue?

According to Mr. Keegan, three special events or concerts can take place each year without having to obtain event licences. If so, why did One Direction make an application for a licence? It was granted within the rules. Mr. Keegan played on the fact that the licence for three U2 concerts in 2009 was controversial. Regardless of whether people liked it, those concerts were within the planning regulations and, as such, there was no issue with them.

According to Mr. Keegan, an additional concert would not be considered a significant breach of the original permission. Is it for an official to decide how far to bend the law? If it would not have been appropriate to advise the applicant or anyone else of the decision that the local authority intended to make until it had fully processed the licence application, did Mr. Keegan alert the GAA to the planning conditions and the need for a planning amendment to allow for more than three events, a number already used up by One Direction? As CEO of the city council, does Mr. Keegan agree that he is under a significant onus to be proactive rather than reactive in how he manages the city?