New licensing rules for outdoor concerts will be brought before the Oireachtas "within a matter of weeks", the Department of the Environment has said.
The licensing system was part of the Planning and Development Act 2000, which was signed into law by the President, Mrs McAleese, last August.
However, the new rules cannot replace the current system - which demands that promoters get planning permission for events - until detailed regulations are put in place.
Since last August, the Department of the Environment has laid down regulations to bring several parts of the Act into use, including those covering development plans.
However, the Department yesterday rejected suggestions that the focus on concert licensing would delay the implementation of any other part of the Act.
The relaxed rules will mean concert promoters will not have to apply for planning permission to hold events, such as U2's concert at Slane. Under the current planning permission system only one such concert is permitted each year at Slane. There is pressure from the band and fans to allow a second concert because so many were disappointed in their quest for tickets.
"The Government and the Minister for the Environment, Mr Dempsey, realise that the current system is unwieldy for dealing with concerts," said an Environment spokesperson.
However, local communities will have to be given time to object to events and local authorities will have to establish a proper consultation system.
Labour TD Mr Eamon Gilmore said the Taoiseach's decision to fast-track the licensing would not have been necessary if Mr Dempsey "had been doing his job".
He said the Taoiseach's willingness to become involved "in the hope of garnering political support" was in "stark contrast to his absolute refusal" to get involved in the teachers' strike.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach and Mr Dempsey have been criticised by the Slane Bridge Action Group which says their swift action to try to secure a second U2 concert was in contrast to the lack of progress on making Slane Bridge safe.
The group was set up after the death last month on the bridge of a child, David Garvey, and wants measures introduced to ensure no more lives are lost.
