Where The Touts Have No Shame – TD urges action as U2 fans fleeced

Fine Gael TD Noel Rock has called for his anti-touting law to be enacted immediately after another beautiful payday for profiteering resellers.

This morning, U2 fans were left outraged as concerts across the globe sold out with tickets instantly appearing on Ticketmaster-owned Seatwave for multiples of face value- in Denmark up to €500 and in Dublin up to €800.

Deputy Rock authored legislation to ban the above cost reselling of tickets last year and today called for that legislation to be enacted by Government immediately.

Deputy Rock said: “Today’s outrageous cornering of the market by touts whose only goal is to gouge hard-working fans is an absolute disgrace and shows clearly the problem we have here.”

Deputy Rock added: “This is now happening on a weekly basis with concerts big and small, as well as larger sporting events: people know they can make a quick few quid by snapping up tickets via advance on sales, and make at least double their money back.

“If the companies charged with selling tickets wanted to stamp out this practice, they could easily have done so.”

Deputy Rock continued: “Belgium has successfully introduced legislation in this field. The Irish people are overwhelmingly in favour of legislation – with a recent Ireland Thinks poll showing 89% of people support this.

“The precedent is there, the support is there, now we need to step up and make this happen.”

Deputy Rock concluded: “This situation cannot continue: the ticketing industry cannot be relied upon to regulate itself.

“Time and time again, they promise that things will change. Time and time again, they fail to change things. It’s time for Government to step in with legislation.”

ENDS