Oasis 'scalping' Irish people by using so-called dynamic pricing

Oasis are scalping Irish people by using so-called dynamic pricing and action must be taken to nip the practice in the bud, politicians have claimed. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos

Oasis are scalping Irish people by using so-called dynamic pricing and action must be taken to nip the practice in the bud, politicians have claimed.

Following the controversy surrounding the Manchester band's concerts in Croke Park next year, Senator Timmy Dooley has introduced a Bill to protect consumers by banning the practice of dynamic pricing.

"How long will it be before dynamic pricing becomes commonplace?" Mr Dooley asked, adding that "just because dynamic pricing models can be used, does not mean they should".

The Bill seeks to extend the previous Sale of Tickets Act 2021, which was introduced to tackle ticket touting for cultural, sporting and entertainment events, to tackle what is now being deemed as an institutionalised approach to touting.

When questioned about addressing dynamic pricing in other sectors for things such as hotel rooms and flights, Mr Dooley said the circumstances are different as there are alternative options available to people.

"There are no alternatives to the Oasis concert except in Croke Park on those dates and there is limited availability," he said.

The blame lies with Oasis, or any other artists who give permission for dynamic pricing to be used for their events, Mr Dooley said, adding that the Gallagher brothers "on this occasion found the greatest way of scalping the Irish public".

Open and transparent

Fianna Fáil TD Jim O'Callaghan noted that as there is no price cap being put on tickets and individual artists, promoters and venues have the right to set their prices as they like but they must be open and transparent with consumers before the sale starts.

It is an issue that impacts the entire sector and not just consumers, Mr Dooley said, as big artists and venues charging extortionate amounts takes away from people's money to attend other events.

"Smaller bands and emerging bands are effectively being priced out or wiped out of the marketplace by these large acts hoovering up all of the available cash that is there for entertainment," he added.

The hope is that the legislation will be enacted as soon as possible as there does not appear to be many objections to the proposal and the political will seems to be there, the Co Clare senator said.

It comes as Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said its investigation would include how so-called "dynamic pricing" may have been used and would scrutinise whether the sale of Oasis tickets by Ticketmaster may have breached consumer protection law there.