OPW must disclose original bid for cancelled Rolling Stones gig

The president of the High Court has said the Office of Public Works should disclose to MCD Promotions the original bid by Aiken Promotions Ltd for the proposed Rolling Stones gig in Dublin's Phoenix Park, which was due to take place this summer but was cancelled last month.

In legal proceedings, MCD claims its original bid was higher but that the Office of Public Works (OPW) had accepted an amended bid from Aiken after the OPW sought additional information about its bid. It contends the procedure adopted by MCD relating to the tender process was unfair.

Yesterday, the president of the High Court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, heard an application by Paul Gardiner SC, for MCD, for certain documents relating to the tender process. Counsel sought the documents in preparation for MCD's legal action, in which it contends the tendering process was unfair.

Jim O'Callaghan, for the OPW, argued that the information about Aiken's original bid was not relevant to the proceedings. He said there was no issue of one bidder being given information concerning the other.

However, after hearing both sides, Mr Justice Finnegan said the information sought should be disclosed. He also directed that if the OPW wished not to disclose to MCD certain other financial information in relation to the gig, it should state on affidavit that the information in question is not relevant to the legal proceedings.

The Rolling Stones gig had been planned for August 18th but the court was told last month by Mr O'Callaghan that the gig was not proceeding. The band will be playing in Spain on the same date, the court heard.

MCD has denied that its legal action could have had any effect on the planned concert.