Bill to extend Irish nightclub opening hours delayed further by government

The proposed bill that would allow for later nightclub opening hours in Ireland has been bumped off the priority list by the new government. 

The Intoxicating Liquor Bill — which would permit clubs to stay open until 6 AM — has been excluded from the recently elected Fianna Fáil’s spring legislative agenda comprising 21 priority bills, and has been relegated to the “all other legislation” category instead. As The Journal reports, laws placed in this category are generally considered to be ‘shelved’.

Speaking to The Journal, a representative for The Department of Justice said: “The legislation in question will be advanced in keeping with the Programme for Government commitment to updating our licensing laws, with the specific provisions to be considered as part of the Government’s Legislative Programme in due course.”

The long-delayed bill has been in the works since October 2022, but was split into two bills by former justice minister Helen McEntee, with The Intoxicating Liquor Bill emerging last year. The bill has encountered resistance from various bodies, including the Road Safety Authority (RSA), who raised concerns that longer opening hours could lead to an increase in road accidents.

Nightlife advocates like Give Us The Night, co-founded by DJ and label boss Sunil Sharpe, have been campaigning for years to modernise Ireland’s licensing laws, and to “highlight the contribution of the night-time industry to culture, community and the economy in Ireland”. Speaking to DJ Mag, Sharpe called the decision “disappointing” but “partly expected”. “Fianna Fáil having a strong election and taking the justice portfolio was a sign to us that this would happen, so as frustrating as it is, it’s not surprising. Of all the parties they have been the biggest enemy of nightlife over the years.”

However, he remains hopeful. “On the plus side, the legislation is drafted and there is a commitment in the Programme For Government so we don’t want anyone to give up hope. A new government and minister does change things though, their priorities are different to the last and we now have to push things back up the chain.”

He continued: “We do encourage people though to use their voices more. Ireland is a deeply conservative country with a history for suppressing social activity and expression. Right now that side is having its way, and fear is winning. We can’t let fear and bigotry win and need to oppose ignorant political, media and public commentary on this whenever possible.”

Redditors opposed to the decision have echoed many of Sharpe’s frustrations, with one expressing a lack of surprise, and another few describing the existing laws as “archaic”. The “death” of nightlife is also bemoaned.

In 2021, Seán Finnan spoke with Sunil Sharpe about the Give Us The Night campaign and the out-dated legislation Ireland’s nightlife industry has been fighting against. Read it here.

Keep up with the work of Give Us The Night via Instagram and their website.