Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has repeated his call for ticket touting legislation to be urgently introduced after it was claimed that notorious drug cartels are using the lack of regulation in this area to fund their criminal activities and launder drug money.

The Sinn Féin TD called on the Government to urgently move on legislation that is currently being held up at Committee Stage.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“I have been advocating for reform of this area for some time now. In March of this year my party, Sinn Féin, introduced legislation that would outlaw the practice of ticket touting, whilst at the same time protecting consumers and charities. However the Sale of Tickets (Sporting and Cultural Events) Bill 2017 was delayed for nine months when it came for second stage debate in May by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, for no real reason.

“As a result of this delay, the practice of consumers getting ripped off by ticket touts continues, as we have recently witnessed with the Ed Sheeran and the U2 concerts in Croke Park. The latest revelation that some drug dealers are also using ticket touting as a means of funding crime and laundering drug money is another incentive for legislation in this area.

“The crimes these gangs commit are well known and well documented, and the damage their drug activities do to people’s lives and communities are immense. It is unacceptable that they can use this lack of regulation to help finance their operations and launder their drug money.

“Regulating ticket sales in Ireland is an area which every party and none in Leinster House agrees needs addressing.

“Protecting consumers and hindering the operation of crime gangs are two worthwhile goals for a piece of legislation. Both of these objectives can be achieved with the Sale of Tickets (Sporting and Cultural Events) Bill 2017, and I would urge the Government to urgently move on this issue.”

ENDS