10 April Croke Park Special Events Planning Issue
Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan: I am very glad of this opportunity to
bring this matter into the Chamber and address some of the grievances
experienced by the communities and residents who live near Croke Park,
particularly those who live within the cordon area. I am delighted the
Minister is here because these issues touch on each aspect of his
role, relating to the environment, local government and community. I
distinguish between Croke Park, which is a corporate, profit-making
entity, and the GAA. I totally support the great work the GAA does
throughout the country, particularly with young people. However, over
some time there have been very fractious relationships between the communities and Croke Park.
There are three types of issues. First, there are long-standing issues
regarding events in Croke Park. They relate to access for people to
and from their homes on match days, residents’ fears as to whether
there is an adequate evacuation plan in the event of an emergency,
litter and anti-social behaviour. Second, Croke Park is suing members
of the handball and community centre. As that is a legal matter, I
will park it. Third, there is an issue with the concerts. I accept the
business aspect of this and that small businesses such as hotels, bars
and restaurants are delighted with an influx of 400,000 Garth Brooks
fans who will descend on the area. However, there are major issues for
the residents.
Some time ago an agreement was made between Croke Park and the
residents committing to three concerts. I saw the agreement. Three
concerts were arranged for May this year for a group called One
Direction. Those concerts will interfere with the local and European
elections. One of the polling stations is close to Croke Park, so
people will be discommoded. As well as those three concerts, an
American football match has been planned and residents have learned
that there will be five concerts by Garth Brooks. Nobody objects to
the fact that it is Garth Brooks, but to the fact that there are five
concerts one after the other. The residents heard about it through the
media. First there were to be two concerts, then three, four and five.
A sixth concert could have been scheduled but for the outcry by people
about this.
As well as the five concerts in a row, the set up and tear down of the
equipment will take several days. It is ironic that people from Croke
Park are coming on the radio and television saying they want to be
good neighbours with the residents, and this is how they show it.
There is no meaningful consultation with the residents and they had to
find out about the concerts from radio and television. There are
issues relating to the environment, community and local government.
There is also the issue of the licence, although I know this is a
local government matter. Under what sort of system are tickets sold
for a concert before a licence is granted, as it does not seem to make
sense? This is not sour grapes on the part of people who live there
and we should put ourselves in their position. Some people bought
their houses in the area when Croke Park had a capacity of 45,000 or
50,000. They are now living beside a stadium with a capacity of 83,000
and although it is magnificent, it is a venue for concerts and other
events. One must come to the conclusion that this is pure profit
making and greed on behalf of the corporate entity of Croke Park.
Deputy Phil Hogan: I thank the Deputy for raising this matter which
is the subject of much media attention. As she may be aware, An Bord
Pleanála granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Croke
Park stadium on 9 March 1993. Condition No. 11 attached to the
planning permission allows for the holding of three special events
such as concerts in the stadium each calendar year, subject to the
approval of an event management plan which must be submitted by way of
compliance submission to the planning department of Dublin City
Council. Any additional event proposed to be held in Croke Park in
excess of the three events permitted per calendar year must be
approved by way of a public event licence application to Dublin City
Council under the provisions of section 230 of the Planning and
Development Act 2000, as amended. Any application under these
provisions which can be for one or more events must be submitted at
least ten weeks prior to the date of the first event.
The pop group One Direction is holding three concerts in Croke Park on
successive days between 23 and 25 May and it is my understanding these
concerts are taking place under the terms of condition No. 11 attached
to the 1993 planning permission granted by An Bord Pleanála. It is
also my understanding approval of the event management plan for these
concerts will be issued by Dublin City Council next week. The five
concerts to be undertaken by Garth Brooks on successive dates at the
end of July are required to be separately approved by means of
obtaining a public event licence under the terms of section 230 of the
Planning and Development Act. In this regard, Dublin City Council has
not received an application for a public event licence for these
concerts to date. However, as I have indicated, event organisers have
until ten weeks prior to the date of the first concert to submit an
application for a public event licence.
Under the public event licensing provisions contained in section 230
of the Planning and Development Act 2000, any third party can make
observations on the application within five weeks of the date of
lodgement of the public event licence application with the relevant
authority. With regard to the proposed five Garth Brooks concerts at
the end of July, it will be a matter for Dublin City Council to assess
the application for the public event licence when it is received,
taking account of third party observations. It will, of course, be
open to residents in the vicinity of the Croke Park stadium to submit
written observations to Dublin City Council during the period open for
the submission of such observations.
Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan: I thank the Minister for the answer and
have absolutely no doubt many of the residents will make submissions.
The point is that the problem could have been pre-empted if a
different system had been in place under which a licence would be
applied for first and conditions could be attached. There could also
be better relations between the parties running Croke Park stadium and
residents. Those running Croke Park stadium could take on board the
genuine grievances and issues of residents. Those running Croke Park
stadium are in receipt of considerable Government funding and surely
there is a way by which they could be answerable to the Government on
the matter. Is the Minister stating there is absolutely no role for
him in this matter? Nobody wants to see what is happening. I recently
attended a community meeting at which much anger was expressed because
this is another stage in the difficult relationship between the people
running Croke Park stadium and residents. It would be good to have
another move towards bringing about a resolution. This will require
more pressure and another intervention in order that those running
Croke Park stadium will participate in taking a common-sense approach
and take on board what is happening in the surrounding area.
Deputy Phil Hogan: I hope the Deputy knows that, according to
planning legislation, I am the only person in the House who cannot
intervene in the planning process. We would like to help if we could,
but, legally, I am precluded from doing so. Politically, Deputies in
this House have got into a fair amount of trouble during the years for
intervening in planning matters which did not get us anywhere. I
understand the sentiments being expressed by the Deputy on behalf of
her constituents. I have, however, outlined the process which must
take its course. There is a fairly rigorous application procedure laid
down under law in respect of licences that must be granted to allow
the concerts to proceed. I advise those involved to go through these
processes. This is primarily a matter for the planning department of
Dublin City Council, to which written submissions can be sent. The
case outlined by the Deputy on behalf of her constituents can be made
as robustly as possible.
