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U2 perform in the 3Arena in 2018. Leon Farrell via RollingNews.ie

Ticket touts face €100k fine and up to two years imprisonment under proposed new laws

Touts will be fined up to €100k.

THE GOVERNMENT TODAY approved the drafting of new legislation which will increase the punishment of those found reselling tickets for a profit. 

The proposed Bill will ban the resale of tickets to live events, matches and concerts in designated venues, at a price above face value.

There is an exemption for amateur sports clubs and registered charities for fundraising purposes.

A person found guilty of an offence under the act will face a fine of up to €100,000 or up to two years imprisonment.

The legislation is listed as a priority for this Dáil term, meaning it is expected to be published before the end of the year.

 

It is expected to be in place before the postponed Euro 2020 takes place next year. Ireland is one of a number of host cities for the tournament. 

The legislation was first floated by former Fine Gael TD Noel Rock, who has long been campaigning for the laws to be tightened. 

Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, who brought forward the Bill, said: “Touts and reselling websites ruin gigs and matches for everyone making it harder to get a ticket in the first place and driving up prices.
“This is about making sure people aren’t getting ripped off once live events, matches and concerts get up and running again, especially considering numbers are likely to be restricted to begin with.”
He added that there is a specific provision in the Bill for the Euro 2020 championships next year, banning the unauthorised sale of tickets for matches. 

“This legislation is also hopeful. We’re planning for the time when we can go to gigs, festivals and matches again,” he added. 

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    Mute IrishRedLFC
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    Sep 29th 2020, 7:52 PM

    Excellent news, about time too

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    Mute Sean O Callaghan
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    Sep 29th 2020, 7:57 PM

    @IrishRedLFC: I’ve two tickets for the All ireland and two for the FA Cup. Anybody interested?? Leo won’t have to buy any, sure he gets them for free

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    Mute Sean O Callaghan
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    Sep 29th 2020, 7:58 PM

    @IrishRedLFC: Wanna go and meet Kylie?

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    Mute thomas patrick
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:04 PM

    @Sean O Callaghan: oh give it a rest.

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    Mute Sean O Callaghan
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:32 PM

    @thomas patrick: has a nerve been touched?

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    Mute Paul Jude Redmond
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:36 PM

    @Sean O Callaghan: you’d have to pay me for that torture

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    Mute Eire
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:42 PM

    @IrishRedLFC: What Concerts ????

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    Mute MyBrokenKnees
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    Sep 29th 2020, 7:56 PM

    Does that include Ticketmaster and it’s reselling sites. I doubt it.

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    Mute Ajax Penumbra
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:00 PM

    @MyBrokenKnees: Why wouldn’t it?

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    Mute Sean
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:31 PM

    @Ajax Penumbra: Often the artist is given a deal such that they get a percentage of the tickets for resale on secondary sites at inflated prices. These tickets technically aren’t resales as it’s the first time they’ve been sold. The artist maintains a distance from this process and may even appear in the media denouncing the touts taking advantage.

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    Mute Claudia O'Riordan
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    Sep 29th 2020, 9:30 PM

    @MyBrokenKnees: yes nowadays is impossible get tickets all get sold out in minutes But at the same time in the other website is already for sale. Just ridiculous

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    Mute Noel Falkhall
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    Sep 29th 2020, 9:35 PM

    @Sean:StubHub etc are legal touts of tickets from ppl who gain access to early tix for all gigs…if the tout on the street can’t do it these companies should not be allowed facilitate touting…..goose and gander need to be treated the same …..tout sites should be shut down when gigs return

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    Mute Padraic O Sullivan
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    Sep 29th 2020, 7:58 PM

    Will these laws apply to Irish IOC members past and present?

    46
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    Mute Fred Conlan
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:41 PM

    A FG bill, brought forward by Grimer Wormtounge himself. No blll to sanction the Insurance Cartels or grabbing Banks extorting millions each day?

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    Mute LangerDan
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    Sep 29th 2020, 7:59 PM

    I note the idea was floated by Noel Rock. Sure doesn’t he get his tickets from from John Delaney?

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    Mute rolyat ecnal
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:28 PM

    and not one person will ever get any convictions over this

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    Mute Gearóid ÓCiaráin
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:45 PM

    Often wondering about this legislation. If I acquire a ticket for some event does that ticket not become one of my assets and why won’t I be allowed trade that asset just as I may trade in any other assets like car dealing or antique dealing. Just wondering!! Have no plans to get involved in that particular trade !!

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    Mute Vic's Burd
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    Sep 30th 2020, 7:20 AM

    @Gearóid ÓCiaráin: simply put – yes you can sell them but not for more than the face value of the ticket or less.

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    Mute Erich Butler
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    Sep 29th 2020, 9:12 PM

    Why not resolve the issue at source and force the event promoters to create anti-touting selling policies? The promoters should be responsible if their negligence allows large scale ticket touting. They can ensure that the credit card used at the time of purchase is checked when gaining entry to the venue.

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    Mute Damian Clarke
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:14 PM

    Good to see we’re focusing on the important things so Leo doesn’t get ripped off for his next gig…

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    Mute Mick McGuinness
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:22 PM

    Yeah right SFA going happens.

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    Mute Gearóid ÓCiaráin
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:52 PM

    Often wondering about this legislation. If I acquire a ticket for a particular event doesn’t that ticket become one of my assets? Why couldn’t I trade that particular asset like I could trade any other assets such as car dealing or antique dealing or any such dealings? Letting the market reach its level!! Just wondering!! No intention of entering that particular market!

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    Mute LFCMAD_94
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    Sep 29th 2020, 7:54 PM

    No way I was only gonna sell all my tickets for all the upcoming concerts

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    Mute Caoimhín
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    Sep 29th 2020, 9:13 PM

    @LFCMAD_94: Their was no way I was going to sell mine either.

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    Mute Justin Hanley
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    Sep 29th 2020, 7:59 PM

    Do it now when you cant go to a concert ect. !!!!!!

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    Mute Paul Shepherd
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    Sep 29th 2020, 11:10 PM

    Will be interesting to see how many prosecutions follow the introduction of this proposed new law? We have a great habit of passing laws many of which are never enforced but at least we can feel good about it…

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    Mute Laurence Cavanagh
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    Sep 30th 2020, 12:55 AM

    Scrotes roaming the streets on multiple suspended sentences and this is what they are worried about.Fiddling while Rome burns indeed.

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    Mute Paul Jude Redmond
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    Sep 29th 2020, 8:38 PM

    Brilliant news!

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    Mute Micko S
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    Sep 30th 2020, 9:25 AM

    The issue here isn’t individuals. It’s the robots jamming up the ticket sites when events go on sale. What are we trying to achieve here with this new legislation? So some person bought tickets for an event and the demand goes up and tickets are much more valuable. Decides to sell for a profit, not allowed. If some 1diot wants to pay €1000 a ticket to see some event who fault/problem is that? Same event but demand is low and doesn’t sell out. Person can’t go and sells at a loss or not at all. That’s just tough luck then of course!

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    Mute SB
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    Sep 30th 2020, 8:37 AM

    Whilst this is indeed welcome news but SF first put forward this proposal a few years back, but it was rebuked a number of times, so here we have FFG with a PR stunt here knowing the majority of the Irish public would welcome this, let’s not be fooled here, this is merely a PR stunt to try and claw back some support after their complete and utter disaster so far.

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    Mute David O Brien
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    Sep 29th 2020, 11:14 PM

    I didn’t realise Ireland was a host ‘city’

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    Mute Margaret Doyle
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    Sep 30th 2020, 9:24 AM

    It’s a pity they wouldn’t dole that punishment out to Dognappers and Animal abusers while they’re at it.

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