Dublin city councillors have voted in favour of new busking by-laws that will introduce a permit system and limit noise levels to 80 decibels for most of the city.
Attempts to introduce a ban on amplifiers were defeated.
City councillors were lobbied heavily in the run up to the vote with Temple Bar residents calling for a ban on amplifiers to be included in the by-laws.
But the band Key West lobbied against the regulations claiming the decibel limit of 80 decibels would be unworkable as that is the existing ambient level of noise in city centre streets.
Their campaign resulted in 13,000 emails being sent to councillors
Some Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil members tabled amendments to ban amplification in support of the residents.
Other councillors argued that the laws were too restrictive. Cllr Michael O'Brien (AAA) used a decibel meter app to claim he was exceeding 80 decibels in addressing the meeting.
But Cllr Mary Freehill (Lab), chairperson of the Arts Committee which drew up the by-laws, warned that if the by-laws were not passed they would have to go out for public consultation again and there would be no regulations in force.
She pointed out that they are due to be reviewed in six months time.
The laws will require buskers to pay €30 for a permit with an additional €90 to use an amplifier.
They will only be allowed to play for 2 hours in the same spot, with noise below 80 decibels with a special limit of 75 in Temple Bar and all music will have to finish at 11pm.
And they will not be allowed to play outside the GPO or in Temple Bar on the street between Temple Bar Square and Eustace St.
The laws would also bar buskers from performing within 3 metres of any private residence.
Street performers using knives or flame would have to have public liability insurance of €6.4 million.
Fines of up to €1,500 can be imposed for breach of the regulations.
The laws were passed by 35 votes to 17.
Dublin councillors vote in favour of homeless hostel
A homeless hostel will be established in Dublin's Georgian District following a vote of city councillors this evening.
The former Longfields Hotel on Fitzwillam St, Dublin 4 will be converted into a 30-bed hostel, including a drinking room.
The Simon Community has said allowing drinking on the premises will minimise disruption outside.
The organisation also said it will provide 24-hour supervision and require residents to abide by a set of rules.
Most councillors voted in favour of the change of use and capital funding for refurbishment for the protected 19th century building which was bought by Dublin City Council for €7 million in 2007.
Fianna Fáil cllr Jim Callaghan said no part of the city however affluent could turn its back on the homeless crisis.
But Fine Gael Cllr Paddy McCartan voted against the plan saying that total costs could amount to €9 million which would work out at €300,000 per bed.
He said the building could instead be sold for around €4 million to fund the creation of smaller facilities which are the type more favoured by the Fr Peter McVerry Trust.
