Fine Gael Councillor Neale Richmond has called on Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council to ensure that no concerts take place in Marlay Park during the course of state exams.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the Dundrum Area Committee, Cllr Richmond underlined his opposition to the possibility of concerts during the period of state examinations in June: “There remains considerable local support for concerts in Marlay Park both as a fundraising exercise for the Council and as a popular cultural event. However, the Council’s long standing policy of not holding concerts while state examinations are ongoing must be upheld.

“Not only are there a number of secondary schools in the vicinity of Marlay Park that will be holding exams during June such as Ballinteer Community School, St Columba’s College & Wesley College but there will also be thousands of local children attempting to study during this period and the Council must ensure that their study is not interrupted either by the noise from a concert or from those attending a concert.

“While last year’s model for the concerts may not have been as successful financially I think it was good for the Council to vary the approach taken to the concerts in order to keep the venue fresh and attractive to the concert promoters. The promoters intentions to hold 2/3 concerts this summer over the course of the August Bank Holiday catering for crowds of around 10,000 seem to be reasonable and I am glad Councillors have been allowed to channel public feedback to Council officials.

“The €100,000 raised from last year’s concerts is much needed revenue for the Council and it will be ring-fenced for use by the Community Department.”