Updated 12.20
The Chief Executive of Dublin City Council (DCC) says the decision to grant licences for just three Garth Brooks concerts was appropriate, balanced and reasonable.
Owen Keegan and other senior DCC officials are appearing before the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee.
They are facing questions about the council's role in rejecting licence applications for five performances at Croke Park this July.
Last night Aiken Promotions and Garth Brooks confirmed that all of the concerts have now been cancelled, with refunds scheduled to begin on Thursday.
Mr Keegan says he was willing to allow a fourth night, but withdrew the offer after the country music singer insisted it was five or none at all.
Owen Keegan says he regrets the outcome but he is standing by his decision:
Earlier, Taoiseach Enda Kenny described the debacle as a mess:
Key parties involved in the staging of the concerts, including the GAA and Aiken Promotions, will appear before the Committee later this week.
The meetings will also focus on the council’s role in licencing concerts generally.
Public expenditure minister Brendan Howlin says the concert licensing system needs to be overhauled:
Mr Brooks also issued a statement through his publicist, in which he thanked Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions and the 400,000 ticketholders, encouraging them to come and see the show at some point around the world.
Garth's statement
"I have always been advised to NEVER send a message in “the moment.” It is said it is best to take a walk, wait awhile, and think about it. With that said, I just received the news the Irish council cannot change their earlier ruling to not allow the licenses for all five shows. To say I am crushed is an understatement. All I see is my mother’s face and I hear her voice. She always said things happen for a reason and for the right reason. As hard as I try, I cannot see the light on this one. So it is with a broken heart, I announce the ticket refunds for the event will go as posted by TicketMaster.
"I want to thank the Irish authorities for going the distance for all of us who wanted to share songs and dance together. I really want to thank all the people around the world that continued to think good thoughts that this would actually happen. Most of all, to Peter Aiken and those 400,000 people who believed enough to go through what they have been through to get to this point…I love you, always have, always will. I encourage any and all of them that can come see the show, at some point around the world, to bring your Irish flags and waive them proudly at the concerts. I will be looking for you.…garth."
