Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 57 and 59 together.

At its meeting on 24 July 2018, the Government decided on a package of legislative measures dealing with the resale of tickets for entertainment and sporting events. In order to implement the measures, the Government agreed that it would support and amend the Prohibition of Above-cost Ticket Touting Bill introduced in January 2017 by Deputies Rock and Donnelly and would take Second and Subsequent Stages of the Bill in Government time.

The proposed legislation would ban the resale of tickets above face value in designated venues with a capacity of 1,000 or more. The use of bot software to purchase tickets in excess of the number permitted by event organisers would also be prohibited. In addition, the legislation will give effect to the commitment given to UEFA to ban the unauthorised transfer and use of tickets for matches and official events taking place in Ireland during the Euro 2020 championship.

Second Stage of the Bill was scheduled for 21 November, but it did not prove possible to have the debate on that date. I very much hope that the Second Reading of the Bill will proceed as soon as possible and look forward to hearing the contributions of Deputies to that debate.

My officials have been working on a range of amendments and additions to the Bill and expect to formally submit these to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel later this month. When finalised, the Government amendments will be tabled on Committee or Report Stage of the Bill.

I acknowledge the work of Deputies Rock and Donnelly in highlighting this issue. The Bill has cross-party support and it is important that it be progressed.

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