DAIL DEBATE

Prohibition of Ticket Touts Bill 1998 Second Stage

Mr. Kelleher: I welcome the Bill which is timely. It provides an opportunity to discuss the issue of ticket touting. When one comes from Cork, supporting one's hurling and football teams is an expensive business. Up to recently, we had to travel to Croke Park on many occasions to support the players. It is disappointing to get off the train in Dublin and see touts openly selling tickets for all-Ireland matches under the shadow of Croke Park. This is very upsetting for genuine fans at home who spent weeks following the teams and watching league matches in the dark winter months and who cannot get tickets for the glorious occasions. There are technical difficulties with the Bill but the Minister must take on board its spirit and thrust. He should introduce whatever amendments are necessary to ensure the Bill is effective.

The problem of ticket touting at sporting and cultural events is huge. It has been known for tickets for the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis to be put on the black market and to make substantial sums. The problem does not only affect sporting events but also cultural events. The Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis could be described as a sporting, cultural and political event.

Mr. Bradford: We might need a tribunal to look at it.

Mr. Kelleher: The issue of security must be addressed, particularly with regard to certain sports. There is a move towards pay for viewing and genuine fans will be unable to watch games for free. People who are loyal to clubs and watch games on television because they cannot travel to matches will be forced into the black market. The area of segregation and security must be considered. Unfortunately, there were ugly scenes at a stadium in Ireland in the past. Unless there is a clamp down on ticket touting, there will be serious security problems in the future. I urge the Minister to take on board the thrust of the Bill and to consider where it can be amended to ensure it is technically correct and can be enforced. The House has passed legislation in the past which was difficult to enforce. Organisations have a moral duty to ensure that tickets distributed from their headquarters reach genuine fans. Touts must be getting tickets from organisations initially and the bodies have a duty to address this problem. The Bill should include a provision which would discourage organisations from allowing tickets to get into the hands of touts. I am sure the Minister will consider the Bill favourably and adjust it to make it more efficient.