Eamonn Coghlan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Further to Senator Barrett's comments, last year was the celebration of The Gathering and this year is the Garthering, or the disjointed. What is happening at present is a shambles. I have been trying to figure out whether this is democracy at its best or if democracy is getting in the way. I have been thinking about it a lot over the last 24 hours and I can see the movie being called "Licence to Thrill" or, perhaps, "Licence to Sing". I am not sure which it will be.

When the Garth Brooks concert was first announced earlier this year, we had a spectacular launch in Croke Park and the sales went through the roof, from three to four and then five concerts. There were various contracts between the promoter and Garth Brooks, the GAA and the hotels, respectively. There were also contracts with the various suppliers who would be working on these concerts. They have generated employment for the community and people in Ireland. However, all of this was subject to a licence from Dublin City Council. Where in God's name would one get this?

Now it has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous, with the Taoiseach getting involved and President Obama being asked to intervene. The Labour Relations Commission and the Mexican ambassador are also involved. I might even get involved as Garth is an old mate of mine. I think Garth Brooks and the Irish people will benefit from this in the end. His CD sales and public relations are skyrocketing around the world and this world premier, which should have been a celebration in Ireland, has been an embarrassment to Ireland from a public relations perspective. For a country that celebrates its country and western music -----