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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Tickets.ie liquidation and festival losses

Summary

The liquidation of tickets.ie threatens major losses for festivals including the Rory Gallagher International Festival; the Minister will consider what assistance is legally possible.

I return to the issue of the liquidation of tickets.ie. As I mentioned yesterday when I raised this issue, as somebody who is a director of a not-for-profit music festival, I understand the challenges festivals face across the State. In the past, I have raised the fact we have lost about a dozen major festivals across the State in recent years. The liquidation of tickets.ie has had a devastating impact on a number of festivals, including some that are not for profit, such as the Rory Gallagher International Festival in Ballyshannon in my county. The potential hit there is €283,000, which is literally wipe-out territory. That cannot happen. This is an excellent festival that attracts people internationally and keeps the name of Rory Gallagher alive. It is also very important for the local economy. Others have also been mentioned, including Liberty, Rockathon and other events. There is a serious flaw in the legislation that has to be fixed. This should never be allowed to happen and it has to be dealt with. However, the immediate priority here is ensuring we do not lose these festivals. What interaction has the Minister had with the parent company, which has a multimillion euro turnover in Germany? What is the Government looking at to make sure these festivals are rescued in terms of grant support?

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Peter Burke Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Fine Gael

I thank Deputy Doherty for this important question. It is an area on which I can empathise. Many community groups have given so much of their time to bring in festivals that contribute to the local economy. I spoke with Barry O'Neill about the Rory Gallagher festival earlier this week and the concerns he has, some of which the Deputy outlined. I have to be careful about what I can do as regards contacting the parent company. When an entity goes into liquidation, the rules are very clear and prescriptive in legislation. Obviously, there has also been a High Court challenge taken. As I said to Deputy O'Flynn, when that takes place and crystalises, I will look at what I can do in the years proceeding. Some of these festivals will be key to local areas going ahead in the next few years. I do not want to make any promises because it is very early days yet. This has only happened in the past ten days. We want to see the events crystalise. I will do all I can, working with the Minister, Deputy O'Donovan. I want to see festivals take place in the communities that derive so much from them.

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