Event Industry Legislation & Codes of Practice

 

This resource brings together key legislation, codes of practice and public authority guidance relevant to the planning, management and delivery of events in Ireland. It is intended to provide event organisers, professionals and EIAI members with a practical starting point for identifying the statutory and guidance framework that may apply to an event.

EIAI has reproduced selected core documents in accessible online format for reference and industry discussion. Where an official version is available from the Irish Statute Book, gov.ie or another public authority, the official source should be regarded as authoritative.

Requirements can vary according to the nature, location, scale and activities associated with an event. Organisers should therefore confirm the legislation, regulations, licence conditions and local authority requirements applicable to the particular event.

Regulatory transition: Planning and Development Act 2024

Ireland is currently transitioning from the Planning and Development Act 2000 to the Planning and Development Act 2024. Part 16 of the 2024 Act establishes the new statutory framework for Events and Funfairs, including event licensing, codes of practice, safety obligations, inspections and fairground controls.

The Act is being commenced in stages. Funfair-related provisions within Part 16 have already been partially commenced, while the Department’s 2026 commencement schedule places the remaining Part 16 event-licensing provisions in a later commencement block. The existing outdoor event-licensing framework under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Planning and Development Regulations therefore remains relevant pending commencement of the replacement event-licensing provisions.

EIAI will update this resource as the new framework is commenced and accompanying regulations and guidance are published.

Planning and Development Act 2024 commencement schedule

Last reviewed: September 2026

EIAI Online Reference Versions

EIAI has made selected key documents available in online format to improve accessibility and enable industry reference and discussion. These reproductions are provided for information purposes, and the original official publication should be consulted where precise wording, tables, figures or legal interpretation are required.

Event Licensing and Planning

The statutory framework for large outdoor events continues to operate principally through the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 while the relevant replacement provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2024 await commencement. The 2025 regulations extended the period within which the required pre-application consultation meeting may have taken place to 36 months before the event, or the first event where an application covers several events.

Event Safety Codes of Practice

Ireland’s principal event-specific safety codes remain important reference documents for event planning and management. They should be read alongside current legislation, regulatory requirements, licence conditions and contemporary professional practice.

The age of these documents is itself relevant. The operating environment for the event industry, event formats, technology, infrastructure, security, crowd management and professional practice have changed substantially since their publication, and EIAI has consistently highlighted the need for the national event safety guidance framework to be reviewed and modernised.

Fire Safety and Places of Assembly

Fire safety requirements for events and places of assembly arise from a combination of primary legislation, regulations, codes of practice and the requirements of the relevant fire authority.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage carried out a public consultation in 2026 on proposed revisions to the Fire Safety in Places of Assembly (Ease of Escape) Regulations 1985. The Department described the review as the first step in a wider revision of the Code of Practice for the Management of Fire Safety in Places of Assembly.

Event Security

Private security services provided at events are regulated by the Private Security Authority. The Private Security (Licensing and Standards) Regulations 2023 replaced the former 2014 Event Security Regulations and prescribe PSA Licensing Requirements, Event Security (PSA 39:2014) for the relevant event-security licence categories.

Safety, Health and Welfare at Work

Event delivery may involve duties under occupational safety and health legislation applying to employers, employees, contractors, workplaces, work equipment and construction activities. The precise provisions that apply will depend on the work being undertaken and the circumstances of the event.

The Construction Regulations can be particularly relevant during event build and dismantling where the work falls within the statutory definition of construction work, including certain installation, alteration, maintenance and removal activities.

Local Authority Event Guidance

In addition to national legislation and codes of practice, local authorities may operate event application procedures, safety advisory arrangements, requirements for the use of public spaces and local guidance for event organisers. These arrangements are not identical across all local authorities and may change independently of national legislation, so organisers should always confirm current requirements directly with the authority responsible for the event location.

Using This Resource

This page is intended as a reference point for the event industry rather than an exhaustive statement of the law. Legislation may be amended, commenced or replaced, codes of practice may be revised, and individual local authorities or statutory agencies may impose additional requirements according to the nature and circumstances of an event.

Event organisers and professionals should therefore verify current statutory requirements and official guidance when planning an event and obtain appropriate professional or legal advice where required.

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