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PEOPLE BUYING TICKETS for concerts next summer should be aware they will not be entitled to refunds if the events are rescheduled, the Tánaiste has said.
Leo Varadkar said there was “no guarantee” such events would go ahead and that it may be “some time yet” before mass gatherings are allowed.
The music festival Longitude yesterday announced its return in July 2021, an event that typically attracts 40,000 people.
Varadkar today said: “There are now tickets on sale for some major events that we all hope will go ahead next summer.
“The advice I would say is that there is no guarantee that those events will go ahead. It might be some time yet before we can attend matches, concerts and mass gatherings.
“I hope it is possible in the summer, but that’s far from sure at this point.
“Under the law it is possible for companies organising those events to cancel them and reschedule them. They don’t have to refund the cost of the ticket, they can reschedule them.
“I think people who are buying a ticket should be aware of that. They’re not guaranteed a refund, they might find the gig rescheduled.”
Varadkar made the comments in the Dáil this afternoon, responding to Labour leader Alan Kelly during Leaders’ Questions.
This evening, music promoter MCD Productions said that it will continue to offer refunds should events be rescheduled.
It said:
MCD will continue our policy of offering customers the option of a full refund should a show be rescheduled due to Covid-19. This refund policy applies to all events scheduled to take place in 2020 and 221, including Longitude and Electric Picnic.
Vaccine
Kelly also quizzed Varadkar on plans for the rollout of a vaccine, which is expected to begin in January.
The Tánaiste said the issue of who will be prioritised to receive the vaccine will not be decided by the taskforce chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith, which is due to report to the government on 11 December.
Instead it will fall to the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), Varadkar said.
He added: “We would expect a report from them very soon, as to what the order of prioritisation will be.
“I don’t think it’s going to be rocket science. I think everyone understands that those who will be prioritised will be those who need it the most.
“Health care workers because of the increased risk and also the risk they have in spreading it to patients.
“Residents of nursing homes and also those who are older and have chronic diseases. Those are the groups that are going to be prioritised.
“And perhaps people who work in high risk environments, like for example in meat factories.”
Varadkar also confirmed that there will be no charge for the vaccine, which will be paid for through taxation.
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promising to pay the student nurses the voting against it and in the same year they gave themselves three pay rises!!
@frank_1916:
And OAPS are waiting for restoration of entitlements from 2008 Prescription charges Phone allowances etc.. A caring government!??
What a fundamentally misleading statement. Sure, if you pay cash you’re pretty much at the mercy of who sold you tickets but if you purchase by Visa or Mastercard, you can invoke the respective guarantee for not receiving what you paid (ie you are not getting a ticket for an event on a day advertised) to obtain a refund (if the ticket seller doesn’t play ball).
Change the law Leo!
No Kylie concert for him
Well, that settles the notion to regain the confidence of the consumer.
F… you leo
Leo’s turning into an awful geebag
@Panikin skywalker: turning into ??? … wasn’t he always one ?
@Panikin skywalker: you took the words out of my mouth
I’m hoping they do. My kids bought me tickets for erasure
@sally reid: 3Arena only holds 14,000, I dont see why it cant re-open next year once everyone attending is vaccinated.
@sally reid:
What or who are erasure? Is it a festival?
@Sequoia: oh sweet child of summer you know not what you miss.
erasure are an 80s pop band for old fogeys like me. 80s music all the way. Big in my day you may or may not remember this one
@Sequoia: google it !! Rather than displaying your lack of intellect
@Anthony McGovern: vince clarke is an absolute legend :-)
If a concert or event is cancelled or rescheduled you are entitled to get your money back, end of, Leo is telling porkies again.
He’s some W____r
Dont buy tickets a year iin advance your just giving the promoter your money for the oromise if a gig that may be resheduled due to poir sales covid or not
I still have tickets for 2 gigs from this summer, both re scheduled for next year….. Hopefully won’t be put back agsin
Leo, Leo, Leo why don’t you close your mouth. Nothing good come out of it.
have your say