Proposed extension of nightclubs opening hours aimed at helping sector that is ‘dying on its feet’, says McEntee

The extension of opening hours for nightclubs and other venues to 6am is aimed at helping a sector that is “dying on its feet”, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has said.

The Government has unveiled a major overhaul in licensing laws designed to cut back on red tape and promote a night-time economy in towns and villages throughout the country.

Under the planned legislation pubs and nightclubs will be able to apply annually for extended opening hours rather than applying for special exemption orders for each night they want to open late.

Ms McEntee said there is “significant case” to try to support the nightclub sector as she outlined how the number of clubs has gone from 500, 20 years ago to about 80 today.

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[ ‘We still have European tourists laughing at us for closing so early’: Nightclub owners welcome 6am law change ]

[ Licensing law reform to see pubs open until 12.30am and nightclubs until 6am ]

“This is a sector that really is dying on its feet,” she said, adding that she has listened to calls for longer opening hours to attract larger events and high profile DJs.

Under the plans, nightclubs will have the option of staying open until 6am with a requirement not to sell alcohol after 5am. Pubs will also be allowed to remain open until p12.30am seven days a week.

Ms McEntee said the proposals would “provide more options and more opportunities for people working in that space.”

The Cabinet approved the outline of the Sale of Alcohol Bill and the Government hope to have the final legislation approved by next summer.

In other measures, the current system whereby a someone who wishes to open a new pub or reopen one that has closed needs to secure an ‘extinguishment licence’ from an existing premises is also to be phased out over three years. This is to make it easier for new businesses to be established, particularly in rural areas. The extinguishment licence requirement will remain in place for new off-licences.

There will be a strengthening of the rules on the online sale of alcohol including that purchases must be paid for in advance and the person making the delivery must check that the individual receiving it is over 18.

Vitality

Minister for Tourism and Culture Catherine Martin announced plans to recruit Night-Time Economy Advisers to promote “vibrant nightlife” and “bring vitality back” to Ireland’s cities and towns. The first places to get the new advisers under a pilot scheme will be Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Kilkenny, Drogheda, Sligo, Buncrana and Longford Town. There will also be a new Cultural Amenity Licence for locations like galleries and theatres who wish to sell alcohol for time-limited periods around exhibitions or performances.

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise Leo Varadkar said the plans will cut red tapes for businesses and highlighted the reduction in the number of different kinds of licences.

Ms McEntee said some of the current legislation dates back 200 years and “we need laws that are modern and fit for purpose”.

However, she also said the reform must also recognise “that the sale of alcohol is too important to just treat it like any other commodity” and acknowledge “concerns around public health and public order”.

Ms McEntee said the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Garda have been consulted on the plans and they along with local communities can raise concern or objections when individual premises’ licences come up for renewal each year.

The application process is being moved from the Circuit Court to the District Court to cut costs for publicans.

Ms McEntee said gardaí have said that a big challenge under the present laws in terms of public order issues and antisocial behaviour is a significant number of people coming on to the streets at the same time and not being able to get public transport.

Asked if there is concern such problems would simply occur at 6am, or be spread out over a longer period she said: “While it’s not an absolute science I do believe that by spacing these numbers out it will help in terms of that kind of antisocial behaviour.”

She also highlighted how nightclubs will be required to have CCTV outside their premises and security staff who are registered with the Private Security Authority.

She said that when licences come up for renewal instances where there is a significant level of antisocial behaviour: “there is a very clear opportunity for the Gardaí and others to make their concerns and their objections known particularly if a venue has not taken any lengths to try to resolve the concerns or issue arising.”