Bill to ban dynamic ticket pricing introduced

Fianna Fáil TD for Dublin Bay South Jim O’Callaghan has introduced the Dynamic Pricing Bill in Dáil Éireann alongside his party colleague Niamh Smyth.

The Bill seeks to extend the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational, and Sporting Events) Act 2021 to prohibit the use of dynamic pricing by primary ticket sellers.

This move comes in response to growing concerns that fans are being forced to pay inflated prices for tickets after initial sale listings.

The Bill targets the practice of dynamic pricing, where ticket sellers adjust prices based on demand in real time after tickets are released for sale.

This allows ticket sellers to drive up prices, often far beyond the advertised rates, leaving consumers paying more than they expected.

Deputy O’Callaghan said dynamic pricing undermines fairness and transparency.

“I do not think it is acceptable that ticket sellers can force fans to pay more for tickets than what was initially advertised,” Deputy O’Callaghan said.

“Dynamic pricing allows primary ticket sellers to extract the maximum amount of money from fans, often without warning.

“This practice undermines fairness and transparency, and it must stop.

“The effect of dynamic pricing is that fans are drawn into the ticket sales process with the promise of one price, only to find that the final cost is much higher.

“If a performer or sporting organisation wants to charge high prices, that’s their right.

“But it’s unfair for consumers to be misled with prices that do not reflect what they’ll actually end up paying.

“This legislation is about protecting consumers from exploitation.

“Fans shouldn’t have to worry about skyrocketing prices after they’ve set their sights on attending an event.

“We want to ensure transparency and fairness.”

Deputy O’Callaghan concluded by saying that Fianna Fáil believe this practice must be prohibited, and consumers protected.