Late pub fee rises could net State €20m

MINISTER FOR Justice Dermot Ahern has approved increases of up to 200 per cent for pub licensing fees, in a move that will simultaneously boost Government revenue and cut late-night drinking.

From Monday, the cost of a special exemption order allowing pubs to stay open until 2.30am rises three-fold, from €100 to €300. When excise is added, the cost increases from €210 to €410.

Overall the changes could earn an additional €20 million for the exchequer although some think the more likely outcome is a fall-off in applications for special exemption orders.

Other liquor licensing fees, such as the cost of renewing a pub licence, are going up 35 per cent, while the fee-rises applying to other forms of court order are just 10-15 per cent. Last year, the District Court issued over 90,000 special exemption orders allowing pubs to stay open until 2.30am.

Asked why the cost of special exemption orders was rising so steeply, a spokeswoman for the Minister said the fee had not been increased since 2004.

“The increase is considered appropriate in the context of concerns about the sale of alcohol, its easy availability . . . and public order issues.”

Licensing expert Constance Cassidy SC said the change would have a “huge impact”. She speculated whether this could be “the last nail in the coffin” for the sector.

Those worst affected are likely to be nightclub owners who currently hold a theatre licence, which allow premises to open until 3.30am, Ms Cassidy pointed out.

The Intoxicating Liquor Bill before the Oireachtas will do away with theatre licences and these premises will then have to apply for special exemption orders.

“In effect, these owners will have to pay a lot more to open one hour less each night.”

Ciarán Gray, the owner of Sin Theatre Bar in Dublin’s Temple Bar, said the new fees, which are levied for each night of late opening, were likely to cost him up an extra €80,000 a year. He predicted the changes would lead to a lowering of standards, with trained full-time staff being replaced by part-time casuals.

According to the Courts Service, 90,691 special exemptions were granted in the District Court last year, down from 91,157 the previous year. The Circuit Court issued 276 new pub licences last year, down from 322 the previous year. New hotel licences fell to 62 from 98 the previous year and 16 new club licences were issued, down from 20 the previous year.