Call for action as Kilkenny promoters affected by ticket company collapse
Cllr Maurice Shortall has had a motion carried that Kilkenny County Council urge the Minister for Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, to take immediate action to support those affected
Kilkenny County Council has called on the Government to intervene following the collapse of ticketing platform Tickets.ie, amid fears that independent festivals, artists and promoters could face significant financial losses.
At the latest plenary meeting of the local authority, Cllr Maurice Shortall proposed a motion urging the Minister for Culture, Communications, Media and Sport, Patrick O'Donovan TD, to take immediate action to support those affected.
The motion calls on the Minister to engage with impacted festivals, artists, performers and creative workers to ensure independent artists are paid in full for work already undertaken.
It also seeks the introduction of appropriate support measures to safeguard Ireland's independent arts and festival sector.
Cllr Shortall said the collapse of Tickets.ie had left a number of independent music festivals across the country facing serious financial difficulties, with concerns that artists and creative workers could also be left out of pocket.
The motion also recognises the significant contribution made by independent festivals and artists to Ireland's cultural life, local economies and communities, while expressing particular concern for creative workers in Kilkenny who may be affected by the situation.
Supporting the motion, Mayor of Kilkenny Cllr Andrew McGuinness, stated that he understood that a number of local promoters had already been impacted by the collapse of the ticketing company.
Both Cllr Shortall and Cllr McGuinness have first-hand experience of the live music industry, with Shortall known for his DJing and McGuinness known for being an experienced live music performer.