Ticket Touting

Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Questions (169)

John Clendennen

Question:

169. Deputy John Clendennen asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment if he is aware that despite the Sale of Tickets Act 2021 being in force for nearly five years, that there have been no prosecutions under the Act to date, leading to a continuation of ticket touting practices for major sporting and cultural events; and the specific measures he plans to take to ensure robust enforcement by An Garda Síochána and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, particularly in light of the current requirement for venue and event designation. [39738/26]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment (Deputy Niamh Smyth)

The Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021 (the 2021 Act), promotes fairer access to tickets for cultural, entertainment, recreational and sporting events by prohibiting the sale or advertisement of tickets at a price exceeding the original sale price for particular events or venues designated under the 2021 Act.

The CCPC does not have an enforcement role under the 2021 Act. An Garda Síochána (AGS) are responsible for the enforcement of the 2021 Act. Part 4 of the 2021 Act sets out the powers of enforcement available to An Garda Síochána, which include entry to premises, inspection of documents and records, search and arrest.

The governing legislation dealing with the enforcement functions and authority of An Garda Síochána does not fall under my remit and my Department has no role in monitoring this function.

As part of the Programme for Government commitments, I have initiated the process of further strengthening the powers of the CCPC in both its Consumer Protection and Competition functions.