Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am as disappointed as anyone else that Ireland has lost this major musical event involving an international artist whose appeal is global in many respects. It is true to say that the loss to the economy will be of the order of €50 million, that 400,000 fans were due to turn up, that 70,000 of those were due to travel here from abroad and that 200,000 bookings were made in respect of B&Bs, guesthouses, hotels and so on. I have received a deluge of messages from people who bought tickets and who had made arrangements in respect of making a day of it with their families or friends. Of course, the money they paid out will now be refunded.

The Deputy inquired as to why the Government did not intervene.

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