Concerts and sport fans attendees may welcome the news that the Cabinet has signalled they will be backing a new proposal surrounding the reselling of tickets.
A bill put forward by Fine Gael TD, Noel Rock and Fianna Fáil TD, Stephen Donnelly sought to get the Government's approval to outlaw ticket touting.
Business Minister Heather Humphreys has stated that the Cabinet has agreed to back the plan.
The move looks to outlaw reselling tickets at a higher price than their purchase value for sporting and entertainment events, in venues capable of holding 1,000 people or higher.
The bill also included banning the use of ‘bot’ software that purchase tickets, which reduces the supply offered to the general public.
The proposed plan has moved forward as the general public have been faced with massive mark ups on the resale of tickets.
Notably, The Irish Examiner reported last year, that U2 tickets in the Three Arena were being resold at €1,758 each, on the website, Viagogo.
However, ticket resellers have indicated that the legislation could drive business to move underground.
The Irish Examiner reports that a secondhand ticket-selling company, StubHub believes safe reselling could be threatened as trade would go underground if the proposal comes into law.
StubHub told the paper:
“Legislation to regulate the selling price of tickets bears the risk of driving ticket sellers away from sites that offer the buyer a safe transaction”.
“If the proposed legislation is enacted, fans who value the choice, flexibility, and security offered by digital marketplaces could end up buying tickets through channels that offer no security or guarantees,” the company explained.
“We hope that any amendments to the bill will reflect the issues that would affect both the market and fans.
However, the reselling website did welcome the measure to crack down on the use of bot software that poaches tickets, before the general public has a chance to purchase them.
“StubHub welcomes and supports the proposal to tackle the use of bot software. The company also advocates for greater transparency around the number of tickets that are actually available to the public for live events from the outset.”
The Business Minister said the bill was a joint-effort from the two parties and represents “a tangible example of new politics at work”.
“It’s wrong that people who make no contribution to sport or music can profit from the resale of tickets for sell-out matches and shows,” Ms Humphreys said.
“I am confident that this bill will have the support of the main sporting bodies, of many artists and promoters in the entertainment industry, and of music and sports fans right across the country.”
