Attempts to strike right note on busker bye-laws deferred by council
Cllr Olivia O'Sullivan said she wasn't happy with the bye-laws produced
A MOVE to adopt Street Performance and Busker Draft Bye-Laws 2024 has been deferred by Limerick City and County Council to facilitate the Arts & Culture department contribution to a broader busking policy.
The bye-laws were developed as a result of a notice of motion from Cllr Olivia O'Sullivan. A draft set of bye-laws were presented to the February Climate Action, Biodiversity and Environment SPC and comments from the members were taken on board.
Speaking at the council meeting on Monday, September 23, Cllr O'Sullivan explained that the area of application for this only encompasses the city centre zone. She said she wasn't happy with the bye-laws produced.
“I wanted a broad discussion on busking because I think it's an extremely important thing in our city centre. I'm really supportive of it but I think it needs to be managed very well.”
The Fine Gael councillor said there are issues around busking in the city. “Retail has complained and it's all manageable.” Cllr O'Sullivan added that she didn't know why the Arts Officer didn't want to participate in the discussion on the bye-laws. “I want to ask why we're not considering a street performance permit as issued by a number of other local authorities in the country... A street performance permit is not just about an enforcement tool. It's also a means for people to be able to offer an invitation to people to busk in our city.”
Cllr Michael Collins said he had a huge interest in this issue as he is a musician himself and said amplification is hugely important for buskers but suggested controlling decibel levels. Cllr Tom Ruddle said busking has brought great life to the city on Saturdays.
Cllr Daniel Butler said the policy outlined was almost punitive in nature and that he was disappointed to see the lack of involvement of the arts and culture department.
“We need to look at performance infrastructure and that includes things like access to power but also performance space, what spaces can be used and we need to develop infrastructure across the city.”
He said it was only prudent that the council review the bye-laws and get the arts council involved to make a more comprehensive policy.
Director Kieran Lehane said they need to do something to incentivise more busking and performing on the street and that the bye-laws are intended to provide regulation.