Taoiseach intervenes in Slane concert row
Tuesday, 13 March 2001 22:37
The Government is planning to fast track new legislation that could allow for a second U2 concert to take place at Slane in August. The laws are included in the Planning and Development Act 2000 and were due to be introduced later in the year. However, the Taoiseach has asked the Minister for the Environment to enact the section of the Act which deal with events.
The new law will remove the need for organisers to apply for planning permission and will remove the possibility of appeals to An Bord Pleanála. Under the new mechanism, a licensing system will be in place and organisers of major events will apply to the county council for permission to stage the event.
The regulations will allow members of the public voice their objections and the ultimate decision will be made by council officials. The new regulations will be presented to the Dáil and Seanad in the next fortnight and could be law by the end of the month. This would allow the promoters of U2's Slane concert the time to apply for a licence under the new system if they wanted to stage a second show.
There were angry scenes at ticket outlets last Saturday when queuing fans were turned away after the 80,000 tickets for the August 25th concert were sold out in 45 minutes. MCD said that it was the fastest selling show here ever.
