Publicans and punters have both expressed disappointment that the eagerly awaited later opening hours for pubs and clubs will not come into play for almost another year.
It was hoped that the necessary legislation could be enacted by the end of this year, with the late openings of 6am for some premises enabled early in the New Year. However, Justice Minister Helen McEntee, has announced a significant delay that will see drinkers crying into their pints.
Speaking to reporters in Galway on Friday, Ms McEntee said her legislation will be coming "hopefully next summer" or by "the middle of next year." In reality, this means we won’t see proper late closing times on the ground logistically for almost a year.
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However, when the new laws do come in, it will see staggered closing times for premises. These will allow some drinkers, like nightclubbers or shift workers, to enjoy a dance or a drink until six in the morning before having to leave a bar or club.
The new reforming legislation will replace dozens of old Acts, some going back as far as the 1800s, with two new compact ones. Publicans were disappointed to hear of the delay this evening.
Donall O’Keeffe, CEO of the Licensed Vintners Association (LVA) said: "The Government has spoken extensively about the need to reform licensing hours and bring them in line with modern, European hours of operation for the sake of the country’s night-time economy.
"It is crucial that these reforms are advanced at the earliest opportunity and that the Government proceeds with abolition of the special exemption order system to enable the provision of late bar and nightclub licences.
"These must be prioritised by Government in the forthcoming legislation, legislation which is already being keenly awaited by publicans all across the country."
The Irish Mirror spoke to one pint drinker in Dublin city centre (who wishes to remain anonymous) in a pub last night. He said: "Ah, this is terrible. I thought we might have the new laws in by Christmas, I kind of knew we wouldn’t, but I was definitely thinking we would have them in time for Easter or St Patrick’s Day.
"It really feels like we’re back in old Ireland when you come back from holidays abroad and nobody’s throwing you out of somewhere there at 11 at night just as you’re getting the lip."
In Galway, Ms McEntee was asked for an update on the legislation and she said that the two Bills required will likely now not be ready until next summer.
Ms McEntee said: “It’s a piece of legislation I’m working on. As a department, we’ve a huge amount of work, but this is an area I have said very clearly that I want to change, I want to support the industry that has gone through a very difficult period, particularly with Covid 19.
"The legislation will be separated into two separate Bills and I’ve said that in recent weeks. My intention is that the new pieces of legislation that will deal with Special Exemption Orders (late licences), that will deal with many parts that the nighttime economy has been calling for, that will be enacted hopefully by next summer.
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