Irish law currently does not recognise the modern nightclub as a legal entity – instead it is considered a licensed premises with a separate ‘dance licence’ issued under the criteria of the Public Dance Hall Act of 1935. At present, nightclub owners must apply monthly for special exemption orders to enable them to open past the existing closing time of 1.30am.

We feel that any reform of this legislation should reflect the reality of a modern nightclub, improving conditions for those who attend them and for the workers employed in the nightclub industry and in associated industries.

With the stability and security offered to their industry and trade by a firm legal standing, nightclub owners would in turn be bound to invest further in security measures such as additional security staff and surveillance equipment. Consequently, this would put nightclub owners in a better position to form partnerships with the gardai, local authorities and other relevant groups and allow them to better tackle the problem of public alcohol-related order offences.

We believe that there should be a nationwide system of sequential closing times in place with regard to pubs and nightclubs.

We feel that the main cause for public order and alcohol-related offences at night in Irish cities, towns and other urban centres is linked to the simultaneous closing of pubs, late bars and nightclubs.

This results in large numbers of people being on the streets at the same time, all looking for the same taxis, public transport services and fast food facilities and in turn putting the Gardai, services industries and emergency services under great pressure.

Give Us The Night recommends changing the current closing times, which we believe indirectly encourage binge drinking. Pubs, bars and nightclubs could close at agreed, staggered times throughout the night, thereby encouraging a safer environment in cities, towns and other urban centres at night.

This sequential closing time system would mean that there would be less people on the streets at any one time. Consequently, it would make it easier for the Gardai to manage and the services / transport industries and emergency services to accommodate these people.

With co-operation from public providers, transport can be co-coordinated in such a way that Nitelink buses meet the gradual flow of people onto the streets at optimum times, while timetables for early buses can be scheduled to meet the final flow.

The sequenced/staggered closing time system could be agreed in consultation with the Gardai, local authorities or any other interested party (such as a local residents).

The system of sequenced/staggered closing times for licensed premises has proved to be beneficial in New Zealand, Australia and Canada. It facilitates the steady and orderly flow of people leaving licensed establishments throughout the night. We feel that it is time to implement this system in Ireland.

The UK has recently embraced twenty four-hour opening. Given the cultural similarities, attitudes to alcohol and record of late night public order offences shared by the UK and Ireland, it should be possible for Ireland to follow the precedent set by the UK and extend nightclub closing times so as to reduce public order offences and benefit tourism.

Sequenced closing times means that pubs, restaurants, late bars and nightclubs all close progressively later than each other.

Example:

These are suggested guidelines and are only intended to give an outline of what we are proposing.