An examination of the level of local authority sustainable planning for event management: a case study of Ireland

Examining the power role of Local Authorities in planning for socio-economic event impacts

“…(2003) can ensure event development and activities enhance the quality and value of event destinations. Furthermore, it can assist in developing and promoting balanced sustainable growth (Maguire, 2018). Thus, it was even more concerning when results revealed a dearth of planning by Local Authorities for the economic impacts of events (Table 4).…”

“…This permitted the authors to clearly examine and determine the level of planning for the socio-economic impacts by the legally obligated Local Authorities. The content analysis methodological approach was the principal quantitative analysis tool applied to this research as it has been noted to represent quantification on a limited scale yet it is still anchored in the quantitative research paradigm (Maguire, 2018; Maguire and McLoughlin, 2019). Neuendorf (2016) discussed that content analysis takes on an analytical approach to understand a number of controlled variables, while Berg (2007) discussed that it tends to emphasise the procedures of analysis while enhancing validity of findings by minimising biases (Hall and Valentin, 2005; Maguire and McLoughlin, 2019).…”

“…Neuendorf (2016) discussed that content analysis takes on an analytical approach to understand a number of controlled variables, while Berg (2007) discussed that it tends to emphasise the procedures of analysis while enhancing validity of findings by minimising biases (Hall and Valentin, 2005; Maguire and McLoughlin, 2019). Thus tourism and event researchers are increasingly using content analysis as a means of critical investigation when faced with textual forms of data such as written documents including tourism and event strategies, policy documents and guidelines (Maguire, 2018; Maguire and Hanrahan, 2016; Maguire and McLoughlin, 2019). Hence this approach was considered ideal for examining the level of socio-economic planning by Local Authorities in Ireland within the legal process of planning for event management as it allowed for a valuable cross comparison and representation of results in relation to the provision of core sustainable socio-economic planning guidelines to manage the socio-economic impacts of events.…”

“…While Dublin City Council granted permission for three concerts following a long drawn out event licensing process, the artist made the decision to cancel all five concerts, resulting in a loss of earnings reported to be worth €50 million to the local economy (Maguire and Hanrahan, 2016; Maguire and McLoughlin, 2019). Maguire (2018) noted how this situation seems avoidable through a clear transparent participative process for event management planning. This issue led to the recognition that there are limitations to the licensing regulations (DHPLG, 2015), which followed with a number of amendments being made to the Planning and Development (licensing of outdoor events) Regulations (2001), which are now outlined under the Planning and Development (Amendment) Regulations 2015.…”

“…However, a similar Croke Park community problem over a Rolling Stones concert arose again in 2018, highlighting that problems seem to be afoot within the Local Authority process of planning for event management in Ireland. However, Maguire (2018) noted the importance of learning from past failures in order to improve future attempts to leverage events to stimulate economic development and social change in regional and local social agendas.…”