Tickets.ie, Ireland’s largest independent ticketing company, is to create 20 new high-tech roles developing a new ticketing product.

This will streamline the process of selling tickets to live events and also help to combat ticket touts.

Its CEO John O'Neill explained to Newstalk that the new technology will fight against 'bots' buying up tickets for events to be sold by touts.

€1.5m will be invested in the project - which is supported by grant funding from the Enterprise Ireland Research and Development Fund.

Tickets.ie has partnered with Microsoft to provide technology and servicing, including hosting of the product on its high capacity Azure cloud platform - Mr O'Neill added that their involvement is a "great vote of confidence" in the project.

The company will also have vacancies in sales, marketing and operational roles.

Speaking at Tickets.ie headquarters Minister for Innovation John Halligan said, "Indigenous Irish companies are a key to a successful economy and Tickets.ie creating 20 new high-tech roles through innovative technology is very welcome news.

"I want to ensure that companies like Tickets.ie are continued to be supported through funding, mentoring and advice.  This new progressive and innovative system of how tickets are sold will make for a very bright future for the company. I want to wish all at Tickets.ie every success for the future."

Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland added, "Tickets.ie is a great example of an Irish company with global ambition, competing and winning sustained business and we look forward to continuing to work with them to support this growth, creating and maintaining jobs in Ireland."

Founded in 2004, Tickets.ie issues 2.7 million tickets annually for thousands of events - its clients include the GAA, Connacht Rugby and The Abbey Theatre.