Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Most Deputies in the House will agree that a degree of gratitude must also be extended to Deputy Quinlivan, who has long championed this cause, having introduced previous Bills on the topic to this House.

The Bill before us aims to promote fairer access to tickets for cultural, entertainment, recreational and sporting events by prohibiting the sale or advertising for sale of tickets or ticket packages at a higher price than their original sale price. This cannot come soon enough for all genuine fans of sport, music and the arts. Ticket touting has almost become an industry in itself. We have all had the experience of friends of family eagerly awaiting the 9 a.m. sale time, computer at the ready, only to miss out on securing a ticket for their chosen event. Ten minutes later, they see that links are being shared in messages and social media for tickets on sale for three times the sale price, resulting in dedicated, genuine fans sometimes missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see their favourite teams, musicians or artists live. It is vital, therefore, that the ticket touting market is eradicated for good.

Artists, musicians and sports personalities tell us that the real joy of performing or playing is being euphorically cheered on and connecting with their fans. The last thing they want to see is fans being ripped off by gougers and ticket touts. Performers, sportspersons and artists would be the first to say that everyone loses out when genuine fans are exploited, the only people who can attend events are those who can afford the extortionate prices of ticket touts and the full variety and complement of fans cannot attend. The price gouging of third parties allows them to make a greedy profit off the backs of hardworking, dedicated and talented people, one they have no right to make.

Coming out of Covid-19, arts, culture and sport will be a lifeline and an outlet for all of us to enjoy and appreciate much more. They will be more prominent in our lives than ever. The ticket touts and third parties must be squeezed out. I wholeheartedly welcome the Bill and I look forward to the day when this long overdue legislation finally sounds the death knell for the ticket touts who exploit the genuine fans of this world.

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