Ticket-holders for MCD shows can choose to be fully refunded, if they are unable to attend any event rescheduled because of Covid-19.
The promoters were prompted to issue a definitive statement on the matter in response to the suggestion by the Tánaiste, Leo Varadkar, in the Dáil yesterday that there's no legal requirement for Irish promoters to refund ticket-holders if an event is cancelled and, for whatever reason, they are no longer able or wish to attend.

"Under the law it is possible for companies organising those events to cancel them and reschedule them. They don’t have to refund the cost of the ticket, they can reschedule them," the Tánaiste said, in response to a question from Labour leader Alan Kelly about tickets going on sale for the MCD-promoted Longitude 2021.

That is not a risk insist in relation to MCD gigs, the promoters say categorically stating: "MCD will continue our policy of offering customers the option of a full refund should a show be rescheduled due to COVID-19. This refund policy applies to all events scheduled to take place in 2020 and 2021, including Longitude and Electric Picnic."

It is not clear on what information the Tánaiste based his Dáil statement, questioning whether promoters will offer no quibble refunds for people who aren't able or don't want to attend rescheduled events. He may indeed be correct on the strict legal niceties if tickets are purchased directly or from a site that .

However, in the Terms & Conditions set out by Ireland's biggest ticket seller, Ticketmaster, which everyone is invited to read before purchasing tickets for a whole spectrum of events, it clearly states that refunds will be issued, which forms a binding legal contract. Unlike in some countries where the booking fee is non-refundable, Irish gig-goers get all the money they've paid refunded.

"Look at those Garth Brooks shows that were cancelled at Croke Park; Rod Stewart at the Aviva; and Celine Dion in Croke Park – people got their money refunded within a matter of hours when it was announced they weren't going ahead," says an industry insider. "Refunds fall under the realm of Consumer Protection. Moving forward, Ticketmaster would have to change their Terms & Conditions for that not to be the case. With the greatest respect to Leo Varadkar, where any gigs for which Ticketmaster sell the tickets are concerned – and clearly for all MCD events – he's completely incorrect."

So, if you're planning to buy concert tickets for Christmas via Ticketmaster, you can do so knowing that you'll get 100% of your money back if the event's pulled or rescheduled.