Fianna Fáil members are set to try and ban dynamic pricing – but Newstalk’s Ciara Kelly said it would be better if people just didn’t buy expensive tickets. 

Fianna Fáil Senator Timmy Dooley, alongside TDs Jim O’Callaghan and Niamh Smyth, will introduce the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) (Amendment) Bill 2024 today. 

The politicians are seeking to ban dynamic pricing after the frenzy for Oasis tickets last week led to prices as high as €500.

Newstalk Breakfast presenter Ciara Kelly said, however, that politicians should reconsider interfering with the market. 

“I don’t know that a politician's job is to come between wealthy fools and their money,” she said. 

“Because let’s face it - nobody has to buy a ticket for Oasis, it’s not a necessity.” 

If the ticket you want suddenly increases to nearly €500, you don’t have to buy it, according to Ciara. 

Liam and Noel Gallagher of Oasis in 1999. Image: PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo

She pointed out that dynamic pricing exists everywhere in the market, and no one complains. 

“It exists in hotel rooms – when you’re down to the last two hotel rooms, turns out they’re dearer than when the hotel was empty. 

“[Dynamic pricing] only exists when the demand is high, and they’ll only get the money from you that you’re willing to pay. 

“I don’t think it’s the job of politicians to interfere in the market of demand and supply.” 

Demand for tickets

Presenter Shane Coleman pointed out that by that logic, Ciara should be in favour of ticket touting by private individuals as well as companies. 

"There’s also an argument as to whether the tickets are being sold under false pretences,” he said. 

“Because you go on to your laptop thinking the tickets are going to cost €100 and then you’re there for two hours, expectations build up. 

“Suddenly you're faced with no hundred-euro tickets but €400 and you think, ‘I promised my daughter I'd get them’. 

“That jumper you're wearing, imagine you picked that out thinking ‘I like that and it’s €50’ and you go to the till and suddenly it’s gone up to €200 because there’s demand for it.” 

A man looks at his iPhone displaying the Ticketmaster logo, 19-4-19. Image: M4OS Photos / Alamy

Ciara argued in that example, she still has the choice to put the jumper back on the shelf. 

“We act consistently like individuals need the State and the Government to sort our life in every way,” she said. 

“Don't whinge about it.” 

Shane argued consumer protection laws should also be taken into account. 

Oasis will perform at Croke Park on August 16th and 17th.