Venues must avail of anti-ticket tout legislation to prevent fans being fleeced – Ahearn

Sporting and concert venues need to properly avail of the Government’s anti-ticket tout legislation to prevent fans from being fleeced, the Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Enterprise and Trade has said.

Senator Garret Ahearn is highlighting the extortionate prices of tickets for the upcoming Ireland v Portugal soccer international on a ticket resale site, something that should be prevented by Fine Gael’s anti-ticket tout legislation.

Senator Ahearn said, “Today we see fans being fleeced once again with tickets for the Ireland v Portugal match going for hundreds of euro on Viagogo. Tickets sold out from official retailers within minutes, but are now selling on this resale website for many multiples of their face value.

“This is wrong and simply no longer acceptable now that we have legislation in place to protect genuine fans from this type of gouging.

“Former Fine Gael TD Noel Rock worked long and hard to bring anti-ticket touting legislation before the Dáil, it was a priority for Fine Gael in Government and  I am pleased to say it was commenced by Tánaiste Leo Varadkar in July of this year.

“Venues are required to seek designation under the legislation for any event they are holding, to ensure that tickets cannot be resold above face value. Some are doing so on an event by event basis. Thomond Park in Limerick has sought designation for all events in their stadium, meaning they have blanket cover under the legislation.

“Other large venues need to take this approach to ensure fans are protected from price gouging. Why is the Aviva Stadium not yet designated under the legislation? The FAI and the IRFU must engage with the legislation and ensure that any matches or concerts taking place in their stadium are covered, so that fans are not being ripped off.

“I will also ask Minister Robert Troy, who is now overseeing this area, to continue the work he has been doing in clarifying with venues their responsibilities to protect fans.”