Dublin nightclub owners want venues to be able to stay open until four in the morning
Apart from a glitterball and thumping music, there is no difference between a nightclub and a pub in Ireland.
In law, a pub can only stay open to 2.30 am if it has a special licence. This licence has to be applied for on a monthly basis in court at a cost of €410.
Barry O'Sullivan of the Irish Nightclub Industry Association believes Ireland has the most restrictive licensing laws in Europe. The association is seeking to bring Ireland in line with many of its European neighbours where nightclubs can stay open until 4.00 am.
Most capital cities and most countries have licensing past four o'clock in the morning.
It is estimated that one in ten nightclubs have shut their doors for good in the past year.
A report commissioned by nightclub owners has found that a third of alcohol consumed outside clubs and pubs is purchased in Northern Ireland and elsewhere. Author of the report, economist Constantin Gurdgiev, says that the proposed new licensing laws would yield about €163 million in additional revenue for the economy with €50 million in net revenue to the exchequer.
Arguments against longer opening hours include challenges for public order and the harmful effects of alcohol consumption. Fiona Ryan of Alcohol Action Ireland says that keeping nightclubs open later does not mean that alcohol needs to be sold later.
Our teenagers have amongst the highest levels of drunkenness in the whole of Europe.
The Sale of Alcohol Bill is due to be published by the government later this year.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 14 July 2009. The reporter is Sharon Tobin.
