Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has welcomed the decision by Ireland’s competition and consumer protection watchdog to bring Ticketmaster before the courts over its handling of ticket sales for the Oasis concerts in Dublin.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has initiated proceedings concerning two alleged offences under Ireland’s Consumer Protection Act relating to how ticket prices and so-called “platinum” tickets were presented to consumers.
Ticketmaster has indicated that the case will be “fully contested.”
Doherty first called for an investigation after the tickets went on sale in August 2024, with fans raising serious concerns about transparency and the treatment of fans during the online sale.
Doherty said, “bringing this controversy before the courts is a major and welcome step towards accountability, although it has taken far too long.”
“This sends a clear warning not only to Ticketmaster, but to every major ticketing platform operating across Europe: consumer protection rules must be respected, regardless of the size or reach of the company involved,” she said.
The Fine Gael MEP said, “there were serious questions from the outset about transparency, the information provided to consumers and the pressure placed on people purchasing tickets online.”
“No ticketing platform can be allowed to make up the rules as it goes along. Fans deserve clear information from the beginning, fair treatment throughout the purchasing process and proper protection when things go wrong,” she said.
Doherty said that Ticketmaster needs to operate with “transparency, accountability and fair treatment for consumers.”
“I hope these proceedings will deliver clear answers, ensure this is not repeated and give fans confidence that no ticketing platform can treat them this way without consequences,” she said.