A contribution from nightclubs for gardaí overtime and longer opening hours for nightclubs are two of a range of proposals being given to the Minister for Justice this afternoon.
Representatives from the Irish Nightclub Industry Association (INIA) are meeting Mr Michael McDowell this afternoon to present their submissions to the Minister's Intoxicating Liquor Bill, which spokesman for the INIA, Mr Robbie Fox, believes does not go far enough.
The INIA says its members operate a policy of one member of security to every 100 patrons in a nightclub, but, when these people leave a nightclub there is not the same ratio of gardaí to people on the streets.
The INIA also believes the opening hours for nightclubs are too short - currently clubs are required to close at 2.30 a.m. - and that too many people leaving bars, restaurants and clubs arrive onto to the streets at the same time, fuelling public disorder.
A contribution to Garda overtime to help increase the amount of gardaí on duty at the weekends and extending the closing time from 2.30 a.m. to 4 a.m are two proposals aimed at combating public disorder the INIA will present to Mr McDowell.
They also want to see a change in the way nightclub legislation is applied. Under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000, nightclub owners are required to apply for a Special Exemption Order (SEO) every month. They apply to the local District Justice for the SEO.
In practice, the law on opening hours for nightclubs is not uniformly applied throughout the country, according to the INIA. They say many clubs have to close their bars as early as 1.30 a.m. and others are not allowed open on Sundays, one of the busiest days for a club.
In some cases, INIA members can only open for six hours a week.
The INIA has also found that business levels in nightclubs have fallen by 20 per cent in the past two years and that alcohol sales in nightclubs and bars is down by 15 to 20 per cent for the first six months of this year.