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Garth Brooks: Taoiseach Enda Kenny hopes shows will go on Garth Brooks: All five Croke Park concerts or none at all
(35 minutes later)
Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Enda Kenny has said he hopes a solution can be found to allow all five Garth Brooks concerts to go ahead in Dublin in July. Garth Brooks has said he wants to put on all five concerts in Dublin or none at all after the city's council refused licenses for two of them.
Enda Kenny ruled out any personal intervention but said he hoped all involved could work something out. Dublin City Council granted permission for only three out of five Brooks concerts at Croke Park this month.
Dublin City Council has granted permission for only three out of five Brooks concerts at Croke Park.
Meanwhile, it is understood that Brooks has said it was a case of five concerts at Croke Park or none at all.
Concerts on 25, 26 and 27 July have the go-ahead, but those scheduled for 28 and 29 July have not. About 400,000 fans have booked tickets.Concerts on 25, 26 and 27 July have the go-ahead, but those scheduled for 28 and 29 July have not. About 400,000 fans have booked tickets.
Irish prime minister Enda Kenny said he hoped a solution could be found.
Reports that promoters were seeking an alternative venue such as the Aviva Stadium have been dismissed as there is not enough time for a licence application.Reports that promoters were seeking an alternative venue such as the Aviva Stadium have been dismissed as there is not enough time for a licence application.
On Thursday evening, the Press Association reported Garth Brooks as saying: "I can't thank the people of Ireland enough for how welcome they have made me feel. On Thursday evening, the Press Association reported Brooks as saying: "I can't thank the people of Ireland enough for how welcome they have made me feel.
"I have faith that Dublin City Council will make the best decision for the people of Ireland."I have faith that Dublin City Council will make the best decision for the people of Ireland.
"For us, it is five shows or none at all. To choose which shows to do and which shows not to do, would be like asking to choose one child over another.""For us, it is five shows or none at all. To choose which shows to do and which shows not to do, would be like asking to choose one child over another."
Speaking from Berlin, Mr Kenny said: "I understand it is to do with a planning issue and the council made its decision. I hope everyone can work out a consequence to that."Speaking from Berlin, Mr Kenny said: "I understand it is to do with a planning issue and the council made its decision. I hope everyone can work out a consequence to that."
The Taoiseach added: "Obviously if I understand it, three concerts have been approved and they are to go ahead. It is a planning decision for Dublin City Council.The Taoiseach added: "Obviously if I understand it, three concerts have been approved and they are to go ahead. It is a planning decision for Dublin City Council.
"They may be able to work out some consequence to allow the remaining concerts to go ahead but it is not for me to interfere in any way.""They may be able to work out some consequence to allow the remaining concerts to go ahead but it is not for me to interfere in any way."
In a statement, Dublin City Council said: "It would not be appropriate to grant five consecutive nights of concerts."In a statement, Dublin City Council said: "It would not be appropriate to grant five consecutive nights of concerts."
They said the scale of the concerts was "unprecedented" and would lead to "an unacceptable level of disruption" for residents and businesses near Croke Park.They said the scale of the concerts was "unprecedented" and would lead to "an unacceptable level of disruption" for residents and businesses near Croke Park.
Legal actionLegal action
The council also said that granting all five concerts, following on from three by One Direction in May, would have doubled the previous maximum number of concerts held at Croke Park per year.The council also said that granting all five concerts, following on from three by One Direction in May, would have doubled the previous maximum number of concerts held at Croke Park per year.
Residents living near the GAA stadium threatened legal action after the initial two concerts were increased to five.Residents living near the GAA stadium threatened legal action after the initial two concerts were increased to five.
The council said 373 submissions had been received from residents, residents' groups and local businesses.The council said 373 submissions had been received from residents, residents' groups and local businesses.
The only way to appeal the council's decision is by going to the courts.The only way to appeal the council's decision is by going to the courts.
It is understood to be unlikely that promoters will be able to use an alternative venue, such as the Aviva Stadium, as there is not enough time for a licence application.It is understood to be unlikely that promoters will be able to use an alternative venue, such as the Aviva Stadium, as there is not enough time for a licence application.
'Unbelievable''Unbelievable'
Aiken Promotions, the firm which is organising the concerts, said it was "very disappointed" that the council refused permission for two of the five dates.Aiken Promotions, the firm which is organising the concerts, said it was "very disappointed" that the council refused permission for two of the five dates.
Peter Aiken from the promotions firm told the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ that he "never expected" licences to be rejected and described the situation as "unbelievable".Peter Aiken from the promotions firm told the Irish state broadcaster RTÉ that he "never expected" licences to be rejected and described the situation as "unbelievable".
He said he was still in constant discussions with the singer's management and was "trying to come up with answers" for those who had bought tickets for the rejected shows.He said he was still in constant discussions with the singer's management and was "trying to come up with answers" for those who had bought tickets for the rejected shows.
Mr Aiken told RTÉ that the "two shows are cancelled" and added that the council's decision had left Garth Brooks in "an awful position".Mr Aiken told RTÉ that the "two shows are cancelled" and added that the council's decision had left Garth Brooks in "an awful position".
"This is a one-off show, it's not going to happen anywhere else in the world."This is a one-off show, it's not going to happen anywhere else in the world.
"All the customised pieces of video equipment that he's bringing in - we can't strip that down and move to another venue - that's just rumour that we're going to do somewhere else," Mr Aiken said."All the customised pieces of video equipment that he's bringing in - we can't strip that down and move to another venue - that's just rumour that we're going to do somewhere else," Mr Aiken said.
He said Brooks had asked him to come up with a "solution" for the 160,000 fans who have bought tickets for the two rejected concerts.He said Brooks had asked him to come up with a "solution" for the 160,000 fans who have bought tickets for the two rejected concerts.
"He doesn't want to leave 160,000 people, it's not fair that 160,000 people don't see the show," Mr Aiken added."He doesn't want to leave 160,000 people, it's not fair that 160,000 people don't see the show," Mr Aiken added.
The GAA said they "will fully assess the implication" of the announcement and make no further comment before Monday, 7 July.The GAA said they "will fully assess the implication" of the announcement and make no further comment before Monday, 7 July.