Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for being present to discuss this important issue. In the short time available I will make a number of points about what happened at the weekend. I am 29 years of age and one of the youngest Deputies in the Dáil. I was at the concert by the Stone Roses and other bands in the Phoenix Park on Thursday night, and many of my peers, constituents, friends and neighbours attended the concerts in the Phoenix Park over the weekend.

I wish to talk about citizenship. Every citizen in this country who attends an entertainment or music event, a concert or a play has a right to expect to be able to do so safely and securely and to enjoy themselves. That was not the case last Saturday. I have spoken to people who were there. These are young people who would generally go out at the weekends, as young people do. They were afraid of what was happening, felt under threat and felt a sense of menace and aggression. They had never witnessed this at a concert or a musical event previously. Serious questions must be asked of the promoters of this event with regard to the level of security and scrutiny that took place in and around the concert and the Phoenix Park. Were people searched? People who were clearly intoxicated or under the influence of illegal substances were allowed into the concert. Were they searched for weapons and so forth?

We witnessed very serious, violent events. Residents in the Castleknock and Ashtown areas also have a right to be able to go about their business safely and securely. There was a huge amount of negative and anti-social behaviour in those areas, particularly on Saturday night. I look forward to hearing the Minister's response.

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I join my colleague in thanking the Minister for coming to the House to discuss this subject. What happened last weekend should never be allowed to happen again. Concerts are very lucrative events for promoters but it is time we adopted a no tolerance approach. Does the Minister agree with that, particularly in light of the violence, abuse and the damage that occurred? Nine people were stabbed in separate incidents, there were 33 arrests and 70 other charges of public order, drink related and drug related offences. The footage shown on television last week caused great concern to many people.

I welcome the Minister's recent statement that what happened last weekend was unusual, in the first instance, and most unacceptable. I also read with great interest that the Minister of State, Deputy Brian Hayes, indicated that the Phoenix Park should not be utilised for such concerts again. Carrying knives in such a premeditated manner gives rise to great concern. There is also the selling of drugs and cheap promotional alcohol, which has been the subject of much discussion in this House recently, as well as other substances. We need to target the promoters and ask questions of the Garda. Is the Minister satisfied that sufficient precautions were taken last weekend? Was there adequate security and a sufficient Garda presence, including on the part of the drug and riot squads, the dog unit and the emergency response unit? Does the Minister believe it is time to adopt a no-tolerance approach to such events?

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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What occurred, particularly on Saturday night, is of major concern. Many years ago, I worked as a security guard at concerts but never saw intoxication at the level I saw in Chapelizod on Thursday and Friday nights. There were people who were in no fit state to walk the streets heading to the concert. How many of them were turned away? Was there a drink tank where people could have recovered instead of going to the concert to have more drink and drugs? Despite some searches by stewards, drink was brought into the concert, and this was consumed on top of the drinks sold at the concert.

There was an inadequate Garda presence and inadequate stewarding in the residential areas that back onto the Phoenix Park. I include Castleknock and Chapelizod in my constituency. Some of the residents felt under siege given the amount of people attending the concerts. In some cases in the past, there were significant traffic problems, but it was the number of people that constituted the problem on this occasion. Some of the gates into the park, which were locked to try to encourage attendees to go a different way, were broken down. There was much dumping in Chapelizod after the concerts. Bottles and clothes of all sorts were dumped in people's gardens. Concert-goers urinated in people's gardens and on their doors.

There ought to be a meeting urgently with the OPW and concert promoters. There is provision for several more concerts. If they are to proceed and the same scenes are repeated, we and the relevant authorities will have failed. I urge the Minister to ensure this meeting will happen quickly and that there will be sufficient stewarding, not only at the concerts but on the way thereto, be it by the Garda or private security companies organised by the promoters. Residents should not suffer the consequences of concerts run for profit. People should be allowed to come and go as they please in the residential areas. The other users of the park should also enjoy this freedom. The park was out of bounds for non-concertgoers in the run-up to and during the various concerts.

Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Like other Deputies, I am aware of the level of media coverage of the event on Saturday night. I am astonished that, four days after the event, nobody in MCD has been arrested. They should be arrested and should have been arrested as early as Sunday morning given the fallout from the concert in question. MCD has been involved in a PR exercise since Saturday night disclaiming responsibility for what happened, including the attacks, the hospitalisations and the loss of life of certain unfortunate people.

MCD was granted the licence and was responsible for the security. It sold the tickets and walked away with the profits, without even a word of sympathy for the bereaved or those who ended up in hospital. The directors of MCD should be arrested. Were the concerts in our neighbouring jurisdiction, the directors would have been arrested. I refer not only to the United Kingdom but also to the rest of Europe.

I am reminded of the unfortunate Stardust tragedy of 1981. Nobody takes responsibility or accepts the blame, and no one will take the blame for what occurred at Saturday night's concert. This is an Irish way of doing things but I do not agree with it. I am interested in hearing the Minister's views on it.

MCD has not issued a single word of sympathy in any newspaper or statement. It could not even bring itself to sympathise with the Brophy family in County Laois who buried their 21-year-old son Shane this morning. What about the young man from Clonsilla, Lee Scanlon? Is his family not entitled to a word of condolence, at the least? I extend my condolences, as I am sure do other Members. I also extend my condolences to those who ended up in hospital with very serious injuries.

MCD has quite serious questions to answer. The promoters should be arrested.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputies for raising what is clearly a matter of great public concern. I share people's shock and concern over the series of disturbing incidents that took place at a concert in the Phoenix Park last Saturday night. Unfortunately, a number of people engaged in disgraceful and unacceptable conduct.

I am sure Deputies will appreciate that as a number of people are facing charges as a result of what happened on Saturday night, nothing should be said in this House that might prejudice criminal proceedings. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I must be particularly careful about what I say in that context.

It is true that a number of concerts have been held in relatively trouble-free circumstances at the Phoenix Park previously. Therefore, it is important to clarify whether there are particular circumstances surrounding this concert that may have given rise to difficulties. The Garda is reviewing what happened and held an initial meeting with the concert promoters in this context yesterday. I understand that the meeting was useful and that a range of issues was discussed surrounding the event, including those matters of serious concern that are in the public domain, including some of those raised this afternoon. It was agreed that both organisations will carry out a more in-depth review regarding all aspects of the event. The fact is that the arrangements in place on Saturday night did not prevent the type of behaviour that took place. By that reality, it is clear they were not adequate.

I have, of course, been briefed by the Garda Commissioner on Saturday night's events, and we have discussed them on more than one occasion. He will let me have a detailed report following the review that is being undertaken. I am determined that any lessons that can be learned from what happened will be taken fully into account in planning future events. Without commenting in advance of the Commissioner's report on specific arrangements for security at last Saturday's concert, it is worth noting more generally that developments will be taking place in the near future regarding the licensing of the event security sector.

The Private Security Authority regulates the private security industry in the State. Since its inception, it has introduced licensing on a phased basis into various areas of the private security sector. For example, it already licenses both contractors and employees providing door supervisor and security guard services. Many of those working in event security are therefore already licensed and, accordingly, have to meet certain standards or acquire certain qualifications.

In addition to having a role regarding the existing requirements, I have been working for some time on regulations that will lead to the licensing of all individuals working in the event security sector. I expect to finalise those regulations shortly. The Private Security Authority proposes to license all contractors working in the event security area by autumn 2012.

While the vast majority of people who attend concerts and similar events just want to enjoy themselves, I am concerned that the behaviour of a significant number of people at the Phoenix Park last Saturday was clearly unacceptable by any standards. Unfortunately, this was reflected in the number of arrests the Garda had to make. I have had occasion to comment recently on the degree to which excessive alcohol consumption contributes to public disorder and anti-social behaviour. The events of Saturday must underline the need for us all, as a society, to acknowledge the damage which the misuse of alcohol can cause.

Clearly, we all wish that summer-time concerts and similar events would be a time for celebration and enjoyment, especially for young people, not occasions of widespread public disorder. Nor should such events present a threatening atmosphere for those who conduct themselves well while attending them.

For my part as Minister, I will do all in my power to improve our regulatory framework and I have previously stated my intention to introduce additional regulations that will aim to curb the level of excessive drinking. I expect those regulations to be brought into force towards the end of this year. It is also clear that drug taking among concert goers contributed to the disorder that took place. Certainly, one of the issues that the review will have to address is whether sufficient measures were in place to prevent this. I personally received reports of drugs being openly sold during the concert event with no intervention by the personnel who were supposed to be providing security.

While I do not wish to pre-empt the outcome of the Garda Commissioner's review, it seems to me that a comprehensive risk assessment has to form part of planning for any event. The reality is that not all concerts pose the same type of issues and we will have to ensure that processes are flexible enough to address that. Put simply, if licences are to be granted, conditions will have to reflect fully a comprehensive risk assessment that takes into account the profile of persons likely to attend any particular type of concert. A relevant issue is the performers and what crowd it is anticipated they will attract. I am not convinced that was adequately assessed by the licensing authority in advance of this particular concert. On the one hand, we have to allow people to enjoy themselves; on the other, we have to be realistic about addressing the public order risks involved.

The Garda will continue to have my full support in upholding public order for the benefit of the law-abiding majority of our people. It is right that I should make it clear that the Garda is determined to pursue fully anyone who engaged in criminal behaviour last Saturday night.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As there are only four minutes remaining, I must be strict and allow one minute per Deputy.

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his response. I express my condolences to the families that lost loved ones this weekend, including the Scanlons. Will the Minister assure residents in the Castleknock-Ashtown area that something like this will never be allowed to recur and that MCD will not be granted licences for future events of this type unless it can guarantee the security and safety of attendees in so far as is practicable? The tickets were expensive, €60 and upwards. Given that people spent a great deal of money in these difficult times, the least they can expect is that they, their children or loved ones can attend concerts safely.

Will the Minister elaborate on his discussions with the Garda Commissioner? Is the Commissioner satisfied that sufficient numbers of gardaí were in the vicinity of the Phoenix Park on Saturday night? If not, why?

Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I express my condolences to the bereaved families and those who were injured last weekend. I will focus on future security. Would airport-type security be appropriate for such events? Many events are held in Ireland, but not all of them have large attendances. Some are only attended by thousands. Often, we attend local football matches. Where violence can be expected, airport-type security measures might be appropriate. Has the Minister an opinion in this regard, particularly given the events of last weekend and their implication for further concerts this summer in Marley Park and the Phoenix Park that will attract similarly large crowds?

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Déanaim comhbhrón le clanna na ndaoine a fuair bás, agus leo siúd atá fós gortaithe, ónar tharla ag an deireadh seachtaine. What can be done to deal with concert goers who are patently unable to enjoy themselves at a concert and can no more walk than they can crawl? I saw such scenes. Some measure must be implemented so that such people can be turned away or placed in a drink tank or recovery unit. What can be done to ensure an increased Garda presence or stewarding in the vicinity of concerts? Many years ago when I attended the Trip to Tipp, Slane or the likes, one of the conditions was that concert organisers would pay for stewards in the local towns or residential areas. However, this does not seem to have been the case in Chapelizod. An increased presence in surrounding areas is necessary if similar concerts are to proceed in future.

Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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I thank the Minister for his frank reply. As to attributing blame, the promoters have made efforts to distract attention from their responsibilities and divert it towards the Office of Public Works, the Garda and Dublin City Council. I do not accept that, as those groups' responsibility in this matter is minimal.

The Minister has reservations in terms of what he can say, given the legal position, but I concur with his comments on those who injure people etc. in that the law should take its normal course. The law applies equally to those who made money from the concert and those who committed offences there. The promoters have questions to answer, as they were responsible for the concert and its security. Had there been proper security, we would not be having this discussion. MCD should not be granted further licences, given the loss of life at this event.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputies for their comments, some of which were constructive. I want to emphasise that this is a matter of very substantial concern to me. I want to give Deputies some insight into the security arrangements. I am told that the promoters had 511 security personnel present on the occasion of the concert on Saturday evening. That number actually exceeded the number that their licence required them to provide that night. Quite clearly, based on the nature of the concert that took place, it appears as if that was inadequate, but I want to be careful not to pre-judge what is going to come from the Garda Commissioner.

The Garda Síochána had 158 members engaged in providing policing services that night. This compares with the 122 gardaí required on the night of the event that preceded the Saturday night concert. There was another concert on Sunday evening at which there were 122 members of An Garda Síochána.

I have a variety of concerns. Essentially, this concert could, because of the profile of the young people who attended it, in other circumstances have been described as a rave. It was that type of an event. It was a different event than the event that took place on the Thursday or the Sunday evening. I am concerned that the licensing authority did not have adequate regard to the age of those who were attending the concert and the heightened possibility of difficulty that arose from those who were both playing in the concert and those who followed the individuals who were playing the concert. I am not saying that as a criticism of the musicians themselves. I am very conscious that there is an age divide between many of us in this House and those who attended the concert. Perhaps not quite in respect of Deputy Nulty, but perhaps in the context of the rest of us. That was a concern.

As to the issue of whether we can give an assurance to the local community to the effect that this will not happen again, the Garda Commissioner is conducting his review and I am expecting some recommendations to emerge out of it that should provide for, for example, additional conditions to be imposed on promoters of concerts in the Phoenix Park. I do not want to rule out concerts in the Phoenix Park. There was not this level of difficulty with the Sunday and Thursday evening concerts and it would be unfair to rule concerts out in their entirety. I take the view that promoters have a responsibility to ensure that those who attend concerts can do so safely, that there is no sense of menace and that individuals who clearly should not be admitted are not admitted. I am not convinced enough was done to ensure that those who were seriously inebriated prior to the concert or those who were clearly and visibly under the influence of drugs were excluded from the concert. It should be made clear in future that individuals in that condition will be excluded.

I am concerned that the security arrangements at the concert may have been more focused on ensuring individuals did not bring drink into the concert, thereby reducing the commercial benefit to the promoters of the drinks sold at the concert, than the protection of people present at the concert.

Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour)
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That is correct.

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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That is a specific issue that must be seriously addressed.

Deputy Keating raised the issue of airport-type security. The difficulty, I have been told, with this concert is that there was a large number of young people sitting around drinking in the Phoenix Park immediately before the concert, with the gates only opened a half hour before the performance so that 40,000 to 45,000 people could enter. The gates should have been opened much earlier and the approach taken to alcohol - an issue relevant not just to the concert promoters - resulted in many young people drinking cans of alcohol at a rapid rate before gaining entry. That was because they feared that the alcohol would be confiscated.

The promoters should apologise for the level of disorder at the concert to the vast majority of people who were law-abiding and attended the event in the hope of having an enjoyable occasion. It is worth mentioning that although, unfortunately, we have seen a series of recent incidents where trouble and violence was fuelled by young people drinking to excess and taking illegal drugs, the problem is not a matter of law and order, and it is not confined to this event. The issue requires action by parents, educators and those who sell alcohol, not only in public houses but across the retail sector.

For my part, in the coming months I will be putting in place regulations aimed at addressing the problem of excessive drinking. The Deputies have helpfully outlined a number of the concerns arising from Saturday night's events and I will take whatever action is open to me and required when I receive the Garda Commissioner's report.