Max HeyraudSimon Harris confirmed to The Journal today that the highly anticipated legislation allowing pubs and nightclubs to extend their hours will be brought before the government in October.
The much-anticipated changes to the Sale of Alcohol Bill were drafted nearly two years ago, with the Government initially promising later opening hours by summer 2023. While the Taoiseach remains committed to enacting the legislation, it is unclear whether it will be passed before the next general election, which is scheduled for March 2025.
In an interview with The Journal, Taoiseach Simon Harris reaffirmed his commitment to the legislation, stating it strikes the right balance between boosting the nighttime economy and addressing concerns from groups like the Road Safety Authority.
“I expect that to go to Cabinet very shortly…being very honest, whether it passes the Oireachtas in the lifetime of this Government is a matter for the Oireachtas and other things,” Harris said.
In July Give Us The Night asked for some priority asks from the government for the legislation
Modernise Licensing Laws: Promised four years ago, the legislation needs to be enacted immediately.
Abolish SEO Costs: Special Exemption Order fees were waived post-pandemic but should be scrapped permanently.
Nightlife Plan Needed: The Government has yet to show a clear plan for late-night safety and transport. While later hours shouldn’t overburden emergency services, adequate resources are crucial during the transition.
Boost NTE Funding: The NTE budget has dropped to €2.5 million—support for venues, events, and artists must increase. Revive grants like the Noise Mitigation Scheme.
Reform VAT on Nightclubs: Nightclubs are taxed at 23% for events involving dancing while removing dancing drops the rate. We need reduced VAT to support the nightclub industry’s recovery.
You can take the Irish Nightclub survey here.
Photo Credits: Karl Magee
