Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I want to ask the Taoiseach about an issue that has raised its head on a regular basis over the past number of years. We have all experienced and heard Ministers' comments on the rip-off that occurs on a regular basis for tickets for major international events, matches, concerts etc. This has been a problem of some proportion within the Gaelic Athletic Association for some years. I recall being in Jones's Road one day and speaking to the Taoiseach, long before he became Taoiseach, and talking about the matter.

I noticed that two tickets for a U2 concert, normally costing between €60 and €80, were on sale for €500 within minutes of the tickets going on sale. This morning I read of two terrace tickets for the Ireland-England rugby match in Lansdowne Road attracting a bid of €1,350. This is disgraceful. The only people who profit from this practice are ticket touts. In France and Britain there is very strong anti-tout legislation. If we read over the reports of these annual cases of clear rip-off, we read that Ministers are appalled at the carry on. I understand that even last night at The Point there were ticket touts operating. It beggars belief that thousands of genuine fans of football, soccer, rugby, music, concerts or whatever cannot legitimately get their hands on tickets, while tickets find their way into the hands of touts and are sold at exorbitant rates on the black market. A Member told me this morning that he has paid €500 for two tickets for Pavarotti.

As a person interested in sport and with a connection to the music world, does the Taoiseach not think it is time the Government considered the issue? Instead of having Ministers say they are appalled by it, the Taoiseach could introduce legislation that would in some way restrict, limit or put out of business the touts who charge exorbitant fees and rip off genuine fans of sport and music who cannot find a way of getting tickets. I am sure the Taoiseach must agree with that. The matter does not appear on his legislative programme, but perhaps he will do something about it now.

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