Dublin buskers facing noise regulation
Buskers in Dublin will have to keep the noise level below that of a busy bar and move on from their spot after two hours under planned new bylaws.
Performers will also be barred from putting on a show within three metres of any business entrance or premises.
Dublin City Council signalled its intention to bring in regulations for the first time around busking and street performing on the capital’s streets after a public consultation.
Under the proposed rules, which will be policed by council patrols, performers will be limited to playing on the streets between 11am and 11pm.
Despite widespread calls during the consultation for a ban on the use of electric amplifiers, councillors have instead opted for an upper limit of 80 decibels (dB) for any performance.
That compares to the sound level of a busy pub and is below the default 85 dB sound limit set on all personal music players and mobile phones sold in the European Union.
Under the proposed bylaws, to be voted on by the council next month, a busker will only be allowed to play on the one spot for two hours.
They will be banned from returning to the same location for the following 24 hours.
Performers will also have to stay three metres clear of city businesses and will have to take out public liability insurance.
Labour councillor Mary Freehill, chairwoman of the council’s strategic policy committee, said the regulations will make for a level playing pitch for performers, residents and workers in the centre of the capital.
“I am very pleased that we also agreed that the bylaws will be reviewed six months after implementation,” she added.
If ratified, the bylaws will come into effect in March and will mark the first time busking has been regulated in Dublin.
