Taoiseach calls for 'probe' into ticket monopoly as he makes plea to Oasis
Taoiseach Simon Harris also slated the idea of “dynamic pricing” and stated that Enterprise Minister Peter Burke will write to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to investigate whether there is a “monopoly” in the market.
Taoiseach Simon Harris has suggested Oasis should play additional gigs in Dublin as he called for a “probe” into the “monopoly” on tickets.
Controversy over the band's sold-out Croke Park gigs is continuing as some fans were forced to pay out over €400 per ticket due to “dynamic pricing”.
Hundreds of thousands of fans entered a “virtual queue” on the Ticketmaster website on Saturday to buy tickets for Oasis’ reunion gigs in Croke Park next August, which had been advertised as starting from €86.50. The initial price for a pitch standing ticket at Croke Park for the two concert dates was around €175, while seated tickets were over €200. However, some fans were only left with an option to buy “in demand” tickets, which saw prices soar to over €400.
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Speaking at Farmleigh, Taoiseach Simon Harris suggested that Oasis should add extra dates to ease the disappointment of thousands of fans who were unable to secure tickets to the Croke Park gigs.
“I think the level of interest that there is in attending Oasis gigs in this country, one would hope that they might find it within themselves to put on a few more,” he told reporters.
“I certainly know of many people across the country who would be heartened were that to be the reality. With their strong Irish links now that they're back together, I know they'd be warmly welcomed here for an extended period of time. I think the Dublin gigs are at the end of their UK and Ireland tour.
“If they have time to fit us in for a few more, I'm certainly aware of many people who missed out on tickets who'd only be too delighted to go to a further gig.”
Mr Harris also slated the idea of “dynamic pricing” and stated that Enterprise Minister Peter Burke will write to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) to investigate whether there is a “monopoly” in the market.
“We’ve taken a lot of changes legislatively in recent years to try and stop what's been described as ticket touring,” he continued.
“The monopoly held by one company is something that I think does deserve probing, and also the issue around surcharges and the like.
“I'm conscious of the CCPC, they're independent in relation to their functions, but my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment [Peter Burke] is making contact with them in relation to this.
“I do think this needs to be reviewed. If there's actions Government needs to take in terms of the future in relation to that, let's look at that and let's take action in relation to that.
“There's a bad taste in the mouths of people here in relation to the pricing surcharge and we do have to be conscious we are dealing with a monopoly situation here as well. I would very much welcome a probe in relation to this and a full report being able to be provided.”
Fine Gael Senator Micheál Carrigy confirmed on Monday that he had written to the Oireachtas Media Committee calling for a meeting with Ticketmaster to discuss the controversy.
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