First it was booking fees... Concert punters to pay new Garda service fee Fiona Gartland The price of tickets for music and sports events is set to increase following the introduction of legislation under which gardaí can charge for providing their services, a seminar for event managers was told yesterday. The seminar heard that costs incurred by the events industry following the implementation of three Acts are likely to be passed on to customers. The Garda Síochána Act, 2005, which allows gardaí to charge for providing their services outside at concerts and sporting events from June 1st, will add to costs for event organisers. The Private Security Services Act, which requires security staff to be trained and registered with the Private Security Authority, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005, will also affect the cost of tickets for such events, the seminar was told. Gar Holohan, chairman of events management company Aura Holohan Leisure Group, said the three pieces of legislation place financial demands and considerations on promoters that have to be met. "This legislation means that promoters must now meet the cost of obtaining indoor licences and of ensuring that all stewards and security staff paid to work at events are licensed, trained and registered," he said. "Uncertainty currently exists as to whether An Garda Síochána will act on the legislation allowing it to charge for outside event support services which are currently provided free of charge." The price increase was one of a number of issues discussed at the National Events Seminar 2006 in Tullamore, the first of its kind organised by events managers Aura Holohan Leisure Group. The seminar will also discuss site planning and risk assessment, fire safety risks, crowd management and traffic planning. The two-day conference also examined the threat posed by "cowboy" concert promoters. Mr Holohan said anyone can set themselves up as a promoter in Ireland, organising events for up to 5,000 people without having to prove they are competent or could respond effectively to an emergency. Other speakers included Melvin Benn, director of the Glastonbury festival, Richard Limb, former chairman of the UK national working party on health, safety and welfare at pop concerts and similar events, and Brian Blake, principal emergency planning and licensing officer, Westminster Council. © The Irish Times