I wish to raise the proposed two-day concert event at Slane Castle and its impact on the residents of Slane village. At the outset, it is important to say that people are broadly supportive of concerts in Slane. These events are an important part of Irish cultural life. However, what is now proposed is not a one-day concert but a two-day event and that brings a very different level of disruption. For local residents, this effectively means four days of significant disruptions from early set-up to the clear-out, with traffic restrictions, reduced mobility and pressure on daily routines. Fundamentally, their freedom of movement is limited. The community is not objecting to the event itself. Residents are saying their legitimate concerns must be recognised. They are asking for practical assurances around access, for a fairer contribution to local groups and services that are currently being given a paltry €10,000, and for a recognition that, while these events generate commercial returns, the benefits to the village have been limited.

More broadly, this highlights a wider issue in Ireland. While a formal consultation process exists for events of this scale, it is often procedural rather than meaningful. Communities can make submissions but they do not always have a structure or ongoing role in shaping outcomes, with engagement often coming late in the process. One practical way to address this would be to formalise a stronger role for local councillors at local electoral area, LEA, level and a mediation layer between organisers, authorities and residents.

In the meantime, the community of Slane is demanding that a few of its needs be met. First, people want clear assurances around public safety, including that an ambulance be stationed in the village at all times. Second, they want a €5 contribution levy for each ticket sold to be distributed to local clubs and organisations. Slane is a unique place. No other concert in the country involves the same restrictions on freedom of mobility. These are reasonable and practical requests. I urge MCD, the owners of Slane Castle and all relevant parties to engage constructively with the community to deliver on them.