There are some big changes coming for alcohol laws in Ireland including a change in the hours alcohol can be sold in supermarkets.
It also includes new laws that will allow nightclubs to open all night and for pubs to serve patrons until later.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee will bring the proposal for new legislation to Cabinet which will introduce these changes to licensing laws.
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The only day where there will be any restrictions on these new late night and nightclub licences will be Christmas Day - with all pubs and nightclubs still required to close.
So what exactly are the new laws and when will they come into effect?
What are the changes to off-licences?
Supermarkets and off-licences will be able to open their doors to sell alcohol from 10.30am every morning - including Sundays.
The laws currently in place mean that supermarkets cannot sell alcohol until 12.30pm on Sundays.
However, that is soon set to change to fall in line with the rules for Monday to Friday with alcohol sales set to be permitted from 10.30am to 10pm from Monday to Sunday.
What are the changes to pub opening hours?
Ordinary pubs will be able to serve alcohol for an extra hour during the week. The law change will introduce new standardised opening hours, from 10.30am to 12.30am, seven days a week.
Under existing legislation, pubs have to stop serving at 11.30pm from Monday to Thursday, with this extending to 12.30am on Friday and Saturday, while final orders are at 11pm on Sunday.
What are the changes to nightclubs?
People will be able to carry on dancing in Irish nightclubs for longer under the law changes.
The new laws will allow nightclubs in Ireland to open until 6am in the morning 364 days a year, with the last orders to be taken at 5am.
Late night bars will also be permitted to keep the drink flowing until 2.30am.
When will the new laws come into effect?
Before these new laws come into effect, they will need to be scrutinised and passed through the Dáil. Legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as possible.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said she hopes the new laws will come into play in 2023.
She said she hopes it will be passed “before next summer” with next April or May a target date for implementation.
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