Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There is an air of disbelief in both the country and the city about the fact what would have been a major economic project in its own right will not be proceeding. I refer to the cancellation of the five Garth Brooks concerts. It is estimated that this will cost the city €50 million at a minimum. However, many people believe that the financial hit to the economy will be far greater. Some 70,000 ticket holders were due to travel here from abroad to attend the concerts. That would have been a huge fillip for the tourism industry. A total of 400,000 fans will be obliged to have their tickets refunded and there is also the question of ancillary booking fees. In addition, some 200,000 hotel bookings will be disrupted. This is an exceptional economic setback by any yardstick. We must also consider the reputational damage that have been done in terms of the capacity of the country and the city to host major events. Part of our tourism strategy has been to make Ireland an attractive location for significant events of this nature.

The Taoiseach stated in Berlin last week that he hoped everyone involved could work something out. All three of the One Direction concerts held at Croke Park recently passed without incident. It appears that at no stage were the promoters or the GAA informed that licences would not be granted for all five Garth Brooks concerts. There was talk about major restrictions, hurdles to be traversed and significant issues relating to transportation and security. However, at no stage was a significant indication given that the licences would not be granted. Surely the Government should have intervened at some point in respect of this debacle. Either the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government or the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Sport should have become involved, particularly in light of the enormity of the event and the implications relating to its cancellation. Why did the Government not intervene in a hands-on way? Goodwill alone is not enough. Where there is a will, there is a way out of these situations.

Will the Taoiseach examine the possibility of allocating Government time in order that the House might consider the legislation which Deputy Dooley has drafted and which would provide a mechanism to facilitate appeals and to allow for reviews by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government? I am of the view that the Opposition would support the Government were it to facilitate legislation of that kind, particularly in light of the significant economic implications involved. Many hoteliers, restaurant owners and young people seeking work simply cannot believe that the country can almost nonchalantly say "We do not really need that".

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