(5.8.08) By bringing the new Intoxicating Liqour Bill into effect, the government has now removed the use of theatre licences for nightclubs - forcing all nightclubs around the country to apply to their district court for monthly Special Exemption Orders, and to close at the same time as late bars. It is our understanding that this hasty move is partly designed to bring in more revenue via Special Exemption Orders, which have now been conveniently doubled in price to over €400 per night per club. Extraordinarily, this price applies to a nightclub of any size; so a small 200 capacity venue for instance, will have to pay the same amount as a nightclub that holds 2,000. Our campaign will continue apace over the coming months, for now we encourage you to contact justice minister Dermot Ahern, to convey your thoughts on nightclub closing times (or indeed other aspects of the Intoxicating Liquor Bill) to him. His email is This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it