'Vigorous enforcement' of busker bye-laws needed, councillor says

A Cork city councillor has confirmed to The Echo that he had reported buskers in the city centre at the weekend for being in breach of the new busking bye-laws.

One particular group of buskers “were a particular focus of complaint from the public during the consultation on the new bye-laws” Green Party councillor Oliver Moran explained.

“Unfortunately, when they are on the street, they make it impossible for others to perform or to enjoy the city centre,” he added.

He alerted Cork City Council enforcement officers to ongoing problems with this group again at the weekend after people complained to him about them when he was in the city, and said “they are going to investigate this week”.

“The gardaí in the Bridewell have confirmed that members have been asked to pay attention to the area and that the matter will also be included in their daily briefing documents.

“I think the demand from genuine artists and the public would now be for Cork City Council and the gardaí to begin a vigorous enforcement of the bye-laws.”

Mr Moran said the bye-laws strike a balance between the rights of performers and the chance for the general public to enjoy the city centre.

“That includes limits on volume, a minimum repertoire, and maximum performance times at any one location.

“Particular efforts were made to support young artists by waiving permit fees for under 25s and seasonal artists with reduced-cost permits.”

Paul Doherty, secretary of the Cork Street Performers Association (CSPA) said the group are “completely in favour of sensible practice and wouldn’t support anybody causing a nuisance to anyone around them”.

The CSPA were not happy with every aspect of the byelaws, but were “happy with the main thrust of them” and “want to generate a positive street culture in Cork which works for everybody.” The CSPA have a good working relationship with the council, he said, but explained, “it’s fair to say there have been teething problems.

“There are designated busking locations and these are meant to be marked by signs with times when performing is allowed, for quite a long time most of these areas were not marked which caused confusion.

“Some people were trying to comply but most were not aware anything had changed so it was all a bit messy – those who were complying were at risk of being disadvantaged compared to those who were just busking anywhere at any time.

“If there’s going to be byelaws there does need to be a clear enforcement routine, as if there’s not active enforcement then everyone tries to just get away with things.”

Feedback from CSPA members is that both Cork City Council and the Community Garda who have interacted with buskers “have done so with great respect and warmth,” he said.

A spokesperson for Cork City Council told The Echo that they are “actively enforcing the byelaws where required”.

“Most performers are obeying the byelaws and are happy to engage.

“At this time, no fines have been issued as the byelaws are only in operation a number of weeks. We have focused on trying to work with and educate performers on the new bye-laws.

“Some performers have refused to engage with us and as a result, fines are due to be issued.”