DANCING on the ceiling of the brand new O2 Arena in Dublin may just feel safer than doing it on the seating – just ask Lionel Richie fans.

Two music-loving diehards and regular concert goers said they were a little startled to feel the earth move at the newly refurbished arena during singer Richie's recent gig there, and not in a good way.

Susan Gorman from Swords in Dublin and her friend Angela – who payed nearly €60 for their tickets – complained that vibrations and movement in temporary seating made people feel insecure and, in one case, even ill.

Management responded by saying that the structure's design allows for a certain level of movement along the same principles as bridges and buildings. "The retractable seating is engineered so that it moves very slightly," said a spokesman. "They are totally safe and secure and are designed and engineered for this slight movement when occupied by energetic, enthusiastic music fans."

In fact, management point out that the floor in question is safer and more secure than most solid flooring and is designed to take more than twice the weight its capacity 230 seats can hold.

But tell that to the fans. "The vibrations were underneath your feet and you felt that at any point it could have collapsed," Susan Gorman said.

"Now, I'm sure it wasn't going to, but there was that insecurity."

"For someone who is going to gigs for years, it was the first time I ever felt that way in that venue. It was very bad, it really was. I would say we were a bit scared at one stage."