Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew has said the appalling treatment of people seeking Oasis tickets should be a catalyst for change in the industry.

The Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA was commenting after the Assembly endorsed a Sinn Féin motion calling on the Competition and Markets Authority to make recommendations on how ticket providers and promoters could be prohibited from engaging in ‘dynamic pricing’ as part of its investigation into Ticketmaster.

He said: 

“While the issue of so-called dynamic pricing has been thrown into focus by the appalling treatment of those seeking tickets to see Oasis, it is a problem that Sinn Féin TD Louise O’Reilly has been consistently raising with the government in the south.

“This practice is clearly wrong, but it has been going on for some time with many thousands of concert-goers left feeling as if they have been effectively ripped-off.

“That isn’t good enough and there is an obvious need for companies selling tickets to operate with fairness and transparency so customers know exactly what and when they are expected to pay.

“I therefore welcome the Assembly’s support for our motion, and I welcome the Competition and Markets Authority investigation into Ticketmaster. 

“Hopefully, that focus and the justifiable anger at the treatment of Oasis fans will prove to be a catalyst for much-needed change in the industry.”