Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I suggest to the Leader we should have a debate on third level education, which many in the House have sought. In particular, we might focus on the regulation of private education and training providers. That is the bigger question this whole difficulty raises for many of us, namely, how we ensure appropriate regulation of private providers, which is the root of the difficulty for these unfortunate students.

I welcome the review that has been announced of outdoor concerts and how they are run in light of the very tragic events at the Swedish House Mafia gig at the Phoenix Park on Saturday night. I know many colleagues raised the issue in the House yesterday and it is quite right to express real concern at the appalling events that took place at the concert. I suggest we need a measured approach. We need to ensure the concert promoters take responsibility and that they, in particular, express to the Garda and the licensing authorities the issues that may arise around particular types of concert and event.

I would be against an outright ban. I was at the Phoenix Park last Thursday night for the Stone Roses concert, which went off smoothly and where the security presence was very clear, bags were searched and it would have been very difficult for anyone to have got in with knives and so on. I understand from reading reports about the concert on Saturday night that security broke down, bags were not searched, there was a clear breakdown and, as a result, the appalling behaviour ensued. However, it is not necessarily about an outright ban. Rather, it is about making sure appropriate responses are made in order that if particular events are organised with particular types of performer, there are more strenuous attempts at security. There is undoubtedly an issue about whether the Phoenix Park is suitable for certain types of concerts but to talk about an outright ban on outdoor events, when so many pass off without this sort of appalling event, would perhaps be overblown as a response.