Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he will review legislation in relation to the holding of festivals or raves in non-designated venues such as farmers fields or in small villages where facilities to cope with crowds of up to 5000 do not exist; if it is the case that these events can be run almost without regulation or permit; and the action he proposes to take in relation to same. [25175/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Section 230 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 provides that a licence is required in respect of the holding of a prescribed event or class of event. Part 16 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 provides for the licensing of outdoor events. Article 183 of the Regulations provides that a prescribed event for the purposes of Section 230 is an event at which the audience comprises 5,000 or more people. The 2001 Regulations received the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas prior to being made. I will review the position should the holding of unlicensed outdoor events became generally problematic.

Under section 107 of the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992, local authorities are empowered to require measures to be taken to prevent or limit noise from any premises, including any land, and it is understood that these powers have been applied in respect of outdoor activities which did not require a licence under the 2000 Act.