Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent)
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487.To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he is aware of the recent complaints regarding a company's use (details supplied) of 'in-demand' or 'dynamic' pricing for concert tickets, which has led to substantial and unexpected price increases; if he will investigate these practices to ensure they are fair and transparent to consumers; if he will take appropriate action to protect consumers from unfair and misleading pricing tactics; if he will provide guidance on any measures that can be implemented to enhance transparency and fairness in ticket pricing; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35566/24]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has a strong track record when it comes to protecting consumers in the area of ticket sales. This government introduced legislation on ticket pricing in 2021 (the Sale of Tickets (Cultural, Entertainment, Recreational and Sporting Events) Act 2021) which prohibits the sale or advertising for sale of tickets or ticket packages for a price exceeding their original sale price for events taking place in designated venues or for designated events. I remain firmly committed to ensuring consumers are provided with sufficient pricing information before they choose to purchase a product or service, including tickets.

Consumer law requires traders to provide certain information to consumers prior to purchase. This includes the total price, inclusive of taxes, allowing consumers to make the informed choice whether to purchase or not. Individual businesses can decide on the prices of the products they sell, and they are permitted to adjust their prices in response to demand or other factors, once an accurate price is displayed to the consumer in advance of the sale so that the consumer can decide if they want to proceed.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), the independent statutory body that enforces competition and consumer law under the remit of this Department, continues to promote and monitor compliance with competition and consumer protection laws across all sectors of the market, including ticket sales, and to investigate potential breaches, prohibited practices and offences.

Reflecting concerns with regard to concert ticket sales on 31 August, Minister Burke asked the CCPC to report to him on its review of pricing strategies employed on this occasion. In response, CCPC has advised that it believes there are legitimate concerns around the consumer experiences of buying concert tickets on 31 August and it has now opened an investigation into the matter. The CCPC will take appropriate action if consumer protection law was broken. Minister Burke and I will respect the independent nature of this investigation and await with interest its outcome. The outcome of the investigation will inform the consideration of any possible policy amendments.

Separately, I understand the EU Commission is also considering the use of dynamic pricing as part of a “fitness check” of EU consumer law on digital fairness. The Department will engage with the Commission on this matter.