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File Photo- Pro Garth Brooks Concert Group. Mark Stedman via Photocall Ireland

Publicans and residents call for five concerts to go ahead - but Labour say they have a solution

The political party has suggested that three concerts should go ahead this year and the final two next year.

THE CROKE PARK residents who want all five Garth Brooks concerts to go ahead are holding a protest at the stadium today.

They want Dublin City Council to reverse its decision to allow just three of the gigs to go ahead.

Earlier today the Government ruled out enacting emergency legislation to resolve the crisis.

It said the decision by Dublin City Council is a planning decision and as such is independent of Government.

The Labour Party have said that, “The ball is now firmly in the court of the promoter, Aiken Promotions and the artist, Garth Brooks.

The party has proposed that Brooks must agree to stage the three concerts this month and play the final two next year – at the end of a Garth Brooks World Tour.

Labour says:

Such a compromise solution would produce five concerts, satisfy the majority of the fans, embrace the reputation of Garth Brooks and give a major economic boost to the economy of Ireland.

Economy 

The group who are protesting today say that the concerts will bring jobs and an economic boost to the area.

Publicans in the area also want the five concerts to go ahead.

The Licensed Vintners Association has written to the Dublin City Manager, Eoin Keegan, urging him to reverse his decision

The LVA estimates that the loss of the five concerts could cost Dublin pubs as much as €15 million.

Donall O’Keeffe is Chief Executive of the LVA, he said:

The Dublin economy can’t afford to see the concerts cancelled.

He added, “The lost business was also bad news for the Exchequer who would stand to benefit from the sales boost through the concert series.”

Final decision

The Chief Executive of the Labour Relations Commission, Kieran Mulvey, said that Ireland’s international reputation is becoming damaged due to this situation.

Mulvey acted as a mediator between residents and Croke Park officials to try to resolve the row over the number of concerts being held.

He said Dublin City Council’s decision cannot be amended or appealed however he added that he hoped a solution will be found within the next 24 hours.

Labour added that its solution would also give Mulvey time to mediate a permanent agreement between the local residents and Croke Park.

Read: Council says Garth Brooks decision ‘cannot be amended or appealed’>

Read: Some Croke Park residents are signing a petition to reinstate all five concerts>

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    Mute jason bourne
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    Feb 12th 2017, 9:22 AM

    Wow.. fair play

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    Paul
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    Mute Paul
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    Feb 12th 2017, 9:26 AM

    What a brilliant out of the box idea – where they whole world is turning extreme right it’s refreshing to see the possibilities to be had while providing a service to African countries. We get bashed from pillar to post by politicians and inquiry after inquiry and sometimes lose track of what makes Irish people great.

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    Mute Mike
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    Feb 12th 2017, 9:43 AM

    @Paul: So a good news story about an African country gets dragged down by someone virtue signalling their hatred of all things right wing. IMO it’s a great story as it shows what people can do for themselves if given the help and resources to get started, One needs seed capital to participate in capitalism, these credit unions appear to be doing the right thing in getting economic activity going. Like many in the West they too wanted and have opted for change in government, here’s hoping the new guy can govern well and support these business people.

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    Mute Stiofán Mac Stáin
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    Feb 12th 2017, 10:05 AM

    @Paul: Capitalism at its best, private individuals and organisations taking matters into their own hands instead of waiting for the government to do something about it.

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    Mute Taylor
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    Feb 12th 2017, 9:54 AM

    Well said Paul! It’s nice to see something refreshing on the journal instead of negativity

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    Mute Debi Nikita
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    Feb 12th 2017, 11:08 AM

    Great news..

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    Mute Gerard Creedon
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    Feb 12th 2017, 12:13 PM

    Fair play !

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    Mute Ita Connolly
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    Feb 12th 2017, 9:59 PM

    My Dad worked with the Irish League of Credit Unions in the Gambia to help train local people and set up Credit Unions in 1998 and again in 2000. I’ve sent him this link. It’ll make his day.

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    Mute Gerry Fallon
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    Feb 12th 2017, 3:16 PM

    Rush credit union have a branch in Gambia,wow! Fair play to them.

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    Mute Anthony Byrne
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    Feb 13th 2017, 7:58 AM

    Should the headline not read “Gambians use’Gambian’ credit union system to …. Etc”

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