New regulations may facilitate second U2 gig

Officials at the Department of the Environment are today working on new rules that may allow for the holding of a second U2 concert at Slane.

A department spokesman told ireland.comrules governing the issuing of licences for outdoor events could be ready for Oireachtas approval in matter of weeks.

He said he would not like to comment on "individual events" but said arrangements for a faster application process were being put in place.

The implication was this would have a significant bearing on the staging of a second U2 concert at Slane.

The spokesman admitted work on the regulations had been brought forward in response to the recent outcry over the ticketing of the band’s August 25th concert.

Tickets for the concert sold out in 45 minutes on Saturday morning, leaving thousands of fans disappointed.

Yesterday the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern said a new licensing system for outdoor concerts would be introduced "as a priority".

On Sunday the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey said he would not intervene in what is essentially a planning matter.

However yesterday Mr Dempsey said he would be "more than happy" to bring forward work on the matter.

The new regulations envisaged under the Planning Act 2000 are aimed at streamlining and speeding up the procedure for gaining permission to hold outdoor events.

The new system means permission for holding a concert will no longer be subject to planning laws, with their often lengthy appeals process.

However, the final decision will still rest with the relevant county council.