Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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742. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the action she is taking to prevent the exploitation of consumers by ticket touts and to ensure equitable access to tickets for entertainment, sporting and other events; the detail of her discussions with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3949/17]

Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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In response to the public concern over the issue of ticket resale, I met with the Minister for Tourism and Sport in October 2016. My Department then undertook an examination of the primary and secondary ticket markets and the measures taken, or not taken, in other countries to regulate these markets. That examination led to the detailed consultation paper which I issued on 20 January 2017 together with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Tourism and Sport. Though ticket resale has been the subject of considerable comment, there is a lack of reliable information about important aspects of the practice, including its extent, the sources of tickets put up for resale, and the prices achieved, as opposed to advertised, on the secondary ticket market. The aim of the consultation is to provide us with a better understanding of the issue and to help us identify the practical measures that might be taken to give consumers fairer access to tickets in the future. Those measures may include changes to the existing regulatory framework. That will be determined following an assessment of the responses to the consultation and other relevant factors.

My Department has overall responsibility for consumer protection. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Minister for Tourism and Sport have a role on the issue because of the wish to ensure that fans can access tickets for sporting events on fair terms and because of commitments given to UEFA in connection with the Euro 2020 Championship and to be given to World Rugby in connection with the bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Major concerts and sporting events also draw large numbers of visitors to Ireland and are important for the tourism sector. Our discussions to date have focused on the decision to hold a public consultation and the arrangements for the launch of the consultation.