Kerry County Council enforcement officers are to be equipped with sound monitors to test the sound levels of street singers, under new bylaws adopted by councilors this morning in Killarney.
They will also decide on the quality of the music under the terms of the bylaws.
The regulations had been out for public consultation and just two submissions had been received, both from An Garda Síochána. Gardaí had asked the council what "mechanism" would be in place to measure sound levels, especially where businesses and residents complained.
They also wanted to know who would keep track of the two-hour limit on performances.
Enforcement of the bylaws will be by both gardaí and the council.
Monotony, vulgar songs, and anti-american comments have caused concern in the town in recent years.
Now, street performers in Killarney are to be banned from using offensive language, and singing the same song over and over.
"Busking is more than welcome in Killarney. It adds massively to our town. But where there are problems they are severe and what is not welcome is foul language, one-track music and staying in the same place all day," Killarney mayor Niall Kelleher said.
The new draft bylaws governing street performance are the first of their kind in Killarney and are needed to bring "harmony" to the tourist town, a previous meeting heard.
It is 20 years since the councillors first put forward the idea of regulating street music.
Under the new laws, "a street performer must not use lewd, offensive, or racist language or conduct (including song lyrics) as part of his/her act".
All street performances are now to be limited to two hours in the one location. Performers will then have to move "more than 50m" in order to continue.
In an attempt to address the vexed question of quality and repetition, the draft bylaws stipulate that a street performer who plays music and sings songs "must have a sufficient repertoire to avoid constant repetition".
Breaches will attract fixed charge notice fines of €75 and performers who end up in the District Court can be fined up to €1,500.
There are designated areas for busking, including Kenmare Place near the Jarvey stand, all of Main St and High St, Plunkett St and College St as far as the courthouse, and New St as far as the Bank of Ireland.
There are to be no performances outside designated areas and busking cannot begin before 11am.
The new noise limit is 80 decibels.
Along with musicians, street circus acts will also have to have a permit. However, fortune tellers and people offering temporary hair plaits and tattoos are exempt from having to pay the annual permit, which will cost €30.
