Deputy Emer Higgins was speaking after the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar T.D. received Government approval to publish legislation which will ban ticket touting and the reselling of tickets above face value for large events.
Deputy Higgins said: “The Government has approved a new Bill that will regulate the sale of tickets in Ireland building on Fine Gael’s commitment to bring an end to the price gouging of fans. “We are all looking forward to the resumption of matches, concerts, gigs and festivals when events return once more. But we do not want to return to the days of rip-off prices for popular events as ticket touts profiteer from the loyalty of fans to their chosen band or sports team. “Fine Gael committed to bringing an end to the price gouging that had become the norm with the resale of tickets for large popular events. This Bill was the brainchild of the former TD Noel Rock who campaigned to put a stop to ticket touts and credit must also go to the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar T.D. who has seen it through, as well as Minister Heather Humphreys who did comprehensive work on this area in the last Government.
“The legislation will mean fairer access to tickets for sports and music fans, and less opportunity for touts to profiteer on the resale of tickets. “As we return to normal after the pandemic, this legislation has even more importance as, for a time, there will probably be a real focus on limiting the numbers at events. With limited availability, it will be even more important we ensure that fans, not ticket touts, get first dibs on tickets. “But we will also feel the positive impact of this legislation long into the future when Ireland hosts popular games and popular gigs for large crowds again. The publication of this Bill today is good news for fans, for clubs and sporting bodies, for event organisers, for artists and for entertainers, and I welcome the progress that we’ve made in Government in this area.”
