Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur fully with what Senator Noone said with regard to the licensing arrangements. It is an anomaly that tickets can be sold many months in advance of an event and that the determination of the licensing is done within weeks of the event taking place. That has led to a significant problem in this instance. Given what has happened in this instance I suggest that the licensing regime be examined so that it would be completed much earlier in the process and prior to the selling of tickets.

It struck me as odd but reflective of our undemocratic system of local government that one highly paid official makes these decisions and the elected members who went before the public a few months ago are sidelined regarding it. It begs the question of strengthening our democracy across the system, and in particular at local government level. The Minister came into this House many months ago and spoke about the new arrangements that would apply and the strengthening of local democracy but in its first test we see that it does not jump the fence, so to speak. Nothing has happened to improve the democratisation of politics.

There is a need for an appeals system to be in place within a structure such as this one where decisions are made. I urge the Leader to encourage Ministers to accept the legislation Fianna Fáil has brought forward in the Lower House, which would provide an appeals system in such instances that would allow these matters be dealt with.

For those concerned that two concerts might not take place, perhaps the Leader would consider inviting Mr. Brooks to come to this House. We could have an evening's entertainment with him on one of the evenings that he cannot sing at Croke Park.