Concert group met three months after Garth Brooks gigs cancelled

The review group established in the wake of the Garth Brooks concerts fiasco had its first meeting in October, more than three months after the concerts were cancelled.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil yesterday that the review group, established to look at event licensing legislation, is expected to make recommendations before the end of the year to the Minister for the Environment.

In response to a question from Fine Gael backbencher Patrick O’Donovan, Mr Kenny said that event promoters are expected to discuss the legislation with the review group at its second meeting next week.

He said “the first meeting of the review group took place on October 23rd, when the current system was discussed and analysed”.

The group is composed of nominees from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; six city and county councils; Fáilte Ireland; the Garda Síochána; the HSE; and the chief fire officer.

Mr Kenny said the public consultation process, which is under way, will end on November 28th.

Mr O’Donovan had asked when proposals would be introduced “to ensure concert promoters and venue owners are not discommoded in the fashion in which the GAA and the concert promoter were by Dublin City Council last summer”.

Controversy convulsed the country when Dublin City Council would allow a maximum of three concerts to take place. American country singer Brooks said he would only perform if all five were allowed to go ahead.

Tickets already sold for all five concerts had to be refunded.