A motion put forward by Sinn Fein Senator, Fintan Warfield calls on the government to introduce measures to improve nightlife. Senator Warfield said that Ireland has been losing cultural spaces and venues “at an alarming rate” and that the government has failed to act on the issue.
The motion asks for reformation of licensing laws, trading laws and an end to early closing on Sundays. It also calls for the increased rollout of 24-hour bus routes, fairer regulations for taxis and harm reduction campaigns to ensure communities remain safe.
In April, the government confirmed that work had begun to allow nightclubs to remain open until as late as 6am. However, no announcement has been made since.
Speaking yesterday, Sinn Fein Senator, Fintan Warfield said: “There has been a shocking and alarming loss of cultural venues and of nightclubs over the last 20 years. In the year 200, there was 522 nightclubs and there are now just 85 remaining.”
Senator Warfield said that spaces have closed because of “rip-off insurance,” and because of “archaic” licensing as well as ‘extortionate” licensing fees that he said are crippling businesses and cultural activity.
Senator Warfield said: “It’s now up to government to finally publish their own proposals for reform.”
In a statement to the Irish Mirror, a spokesperson for the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media said that work is “well underway.”
According to the spokesperson, the Night-Time Economy (NTE) Taskforce was established on 30 July 2020 as one of the priority actions for the Department and in line with a commitment in the Programme for Government. The Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce published in September 2021, contains 36 practical recommendations in the area of regulation, licensing, planning, transport, safety and increasing the diversity of activities as part of the night-time offering.
“An implementation group was established in 2022 to ensure that progress is made on the actions within the NTE Taskforce Report and that the recommendations are implemented in full. Its membership comprises government departments, agencies and stakeholders whose remit covers aspects of the NTE,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson also said that the Minister for Justice is leading on the modernisation of licensing. The Justice Plan 2022, published by Minister McEntee in March, commits to publish and enact new laws to update and modernise licensing laws through the Sale of Alcohol Bill.
“The Department of Justice is delivering on the first stage of that commitment and work on the consolidation and reform of the licensing laws and the drafting of the General Scheme is advancing well,” they said.
The spokesperson said: “We are continuing to work with colleagues across government and stakeholders to drive the implementation of the various actions in this Report and work is well underway to implement the actions in the Report.”
READ NEXT:
- Ukrainians 'sleeping on bare floor' at Dublin Airport as Government scrambles
New details emerge as gardai discover last sighting of couple found dead in Tipp
Met Eireann pinpoints spell of 30C weather and 'tropical nights' for some
WHO advises against use of two common prescription medicines for mild Covid
Adam Collard's loved ones issue warning to Love Island fans amid endless 'hate'
