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Dublin Mayor expects 'a positive outcome' to Garth Brooks talks

The Dublin Mayor has said he expects 'a positive outcome' on the talks aimed at resolving the Gar...
Newstalk
Newstalk

06.15 10 Jul 2014


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Dublin Mayor expects '...

Dublin Mayor expects 'a positive outcome' to Garth Brooks talks

Newstalk
Newstalk

06.15 10 Jul 2014


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The Dublin Mayor has said he expects 'a positive outcome' on the talks aimed at resolving the Garth Brooks fiasco. 

The negotiations are taking place in Dublin this evening, as residents of Croke Park say they are willing to facilitate the gigs.

The meeting involving the Lord Mayor Christy Burke, the Chief Executive of Dublin City Council Owen Keegan and representatives of Aiken Promotions was earlier called off but is now underway.

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The talks are set to continue for a number of hours this evening.

But it is understood that a member of Garth Brooks' team is monitoring them via webcam. 

Speaking at a press conference in the US, Garth Brooks said he would gladly meet the Taoiseach and 'beg' to play his gigs.

They were proposed after an intervention by the Taoiseach Enda Kenny last night.

Meanwhile the officers of the Croke Park Community and Handball Centre say in the interest of all the Croke Park communities, hey are prepared to consider a new direction with a view to facilitating the holding of the concerts.

"The Lord Mayor, Councillor Christy Burke, who has been a central figure in the negotiations, has agreed to bring this latest development to the attention of the various parties involved" they added.

And the White House says US President Barack Obama will not be intervening in the debacle amid claims Croke Park residents were planning to deliver a petition to the US Embassy seeking the President's intervention.

A spokesperson says "this is an issue we'll leave to Mr Brooks and the City of Dublin to resolve".

The Tánaiste earlier said the coalition was ready to assist however it can on the Garth Brooks fiasco.

Joan Burton told the Dáil that the government wants this resolved and the way to do it is through discussions.

And she hinted that something may have come out that would allow Dublin City Council Chief Executive Owen Keegan to re-visit his decision.

Political pressure meanwhile is mounting on Mr. Keegan to allow all five concerts to go ahead.

The government is said to be "keen to seek a positive outcome" given the effect the cancellations will have on tourism and the local economy.

Meanwhile, senior gardaí say they are satisfied that the five Garth Brooks concerts could have been run successfully. They were consulted as part of the licencing application for the gigs at Croke Park but have no role in the issuing of a licence.

The issue was discussed at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this morning.

Assistant Garda Commissioner John Twomey says that, based on the event management plan, they were satisfied with the proposals:


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