Pop concerts' safety code is raised by Point death

THE Government will act if the investigations into last Saturday's tragedy at the Point Theatre in Dublin reveals deficiencies, the House was told.

Mr Bernard Allen, Minister of State for Education, said the primary responsibility for the safe running of concerts rested with the promoters and venue owners. Those attending concerts must also ensure that their behaviour did not endanger the health and safety of others.

The cause of the tragedy in which Ms Bernadette O'Brien (16) died was the subject of a number of investigations, by the Garda Dublin Corporation, the concert promoters and the owners of the Point Depot.

The question of public safety and crowd control was examined by a committee under the chairmanship of Mr Justice Liam Hamilton some years ago. The committee made a series of recommendations, which resulted in a code of practice for safety at outdoor concerts and other events earlier this year.

While the code applied to outdoor events, it stated clearly that the parameters for good organisation of an indoor pop concert were basically similar. The promoters claimed that the concert on Saturday was organised in accordance with the code.

The matter was raised in an adjournment debate by Ms Frances Fitzgerald (FG, Dublin South East) who said there was a clear need for a code covering indoor events and it must be asked whether a voluntary code was enough or whether the time had come to lay down a statutory framework.

Questions must also be asked about the adequacy of fire regulations and the level of security. Were the 110 security personnel enough for an attendance of 8,500?

"If a crowd surge such as this can lead to death, what numbers of people can be allowed to stand in front of a concert in the first instance? I believe that stricter laws and stricter procedures are necessary to deal with this evolving situation. The nature of these public concerts is changing completely and this can present special problems, all of which impinge on safety."

The Minister should consider implementing the recommendation of the Hamilton committee that a District Court licence should have to be sought for all events with audiences over 2,000. The creation of a large, sterile area in front of the stage should be considered. There should also be clear guidelines about the use of the public address system to deal with emergencies.

Every deputy would extend condolences to the family of Bernadette O'Brien. "What started out as a joyous occasion turned into a truly awful nightmare for her family. What happened at this concert is every parent's nightmare young people out enjoying themselves suddenly find themselves in a dangerous and life threatening situation."

Mr Ned O'Keeffe (FF, Cork East) urged that legislation be brought forward immediately to regulate these events and ban the sale of alcoholic drink where there was a large attendance of young people. "We are very lucky we did not have another Stardust tragedy."