Nightclubs and antiquated licensing laws

Sir, – When will the Government publish and enact their proposed Intoxicating Liquor Bill? It has previously suggested this legislation would be ready before the end of 2023, then by St Patrick’s Day, then Easter, then in time for summer and now it has been pushed back to before the end of the year.

This legislation being missing in action does not seem in keeping with the promises the Government were making when they were keeping nightclubs closed indefinitely during the pandemic, and when they claimed they wanted to see late bars, nightclubs and the night-time economy thriving in the future. It is also at odds, not just with what the sector is seeking, but also with what the public wants. Research conducted by Dublin City Council showed that 62 per cent of the public support nightclubs staying open late. These hours were a Government proposal and yet it remains to be seen if this legislation will be enacted before this Oireachtas reaches “closing time”. This also aligns with the expectation for socialising in modern European cities. Significant numbers of tourists who come to Dublin seek out the late-night social experience and we know from first-hand accounts they are disappointed to learn how early Irish nightclubs must close. Our current, antiquated licensing laws are certainly not in keeping with the image Dublin is trying to portray of a modern, youthful, energetic and cosmopolitan city.

With this Government now coming to the “last orders” stage of its term, whether there is an election in the autumn or next spring, the late bar and nightclub sector will be sure to remember how the Government acted on this legislation and to shine a spotlight on how much they are leaving the night-time economy in the dark. – Yours, etc,

WILLIE AHERNE,