DUBLIN CITY COUNCIL is set to vote on a series of busking by-laws.
A public consultation into the matter, which concluded last month, received 88 submissions. The vast majority of these related to excessive noise.
If passed at tonight’s meeting of DCC’s arts, culture, recreation and community strategic policy, the motion will be voted on by the Council next month.
The by-laws mean buskers would have to apply for a permit to play – at a cost of €30 per year or €60 annually for acts using amplifiers.
Buskers will have to close up shop by 11pm. There’s one exception to his rule, however, with performers allowed to perform on Grafton Street up to 1am on Saturday and Sunday mornings. There is also a recommendation that an 80 decibel limit be established.
Under the new rules, acts would not be allowed to ‘reserve’ areas – i.e. arrive prior to their performance and wait, to avoid someone else taking their place. Buskers will not be able to perform within 50 meters of each others.
Artists would be subject to a two-hour limit on performances before moving to another street.
There’s bad news for people with more adventurous acts as one recommendation states:
A person shall not use a knife, sword, flame, axe, saw or other object that can cause serious bodily harm in a performance in a public place.
Breaking any of these rules could lead to fines of up to €1,500.
If passed, the by-laws will be reviewed after six months.
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