Dublin's Night-Time Economy Advisor, Ray O'Donoghue has said Ireland is behind other countries, when it comes to putting together a strategy for the capital's nightlife.
Speaking at the first dedicated conference on the night-time economy, Ray O'Donoghue has called on the Government to take this issue seriously, while there were also calls to move responsibility for licencing laws from the Departments of Justice to the Department of Culture.
The emphasise was also placed on supporting grassroots venues who, have been important to the success of Irish artists currently thriving in the music industry, according to Mr O'Donoghue, who also said that there could be more action from policy makers, two years on since a strategy for Dublin's nightlife was first published.
"Nothing happens overnight," he said. "There are cities across Europe and around the world that have been working on strategies for decades. We're behind, but we're catching up, we're getting there and I think now's the time for policymakers to take the night-time economy seriously".
"Whether it’s your Fontaines D.C. or your CMAT, they don't start in Slane or in Malahide Castle. They have to start in grassroots venues, and they've a hard slog right across Ireland, across the UK, across Europe", he added. "This is where the seeds are laid for these acts ... And those grassroots venues are integral and are really important".
Instead of just focusing on the pubs, nightclubs and restaurants, Mr O'Donoghue has said that the night-time economy is about everything that happens from 6pm to 6am.
"Whether that's safety, transport, right up to culture", he said. "The licensing laws are a good example, they're still outdated".
He said: "We've got laws that go back to the 1800s, we've got dance licences that go back to the 1930s. It's not about just staying open late, that's not what I'm shouting from the rooftops, I think it's about clarity and giving us licensing laws that a modern European capital should have".
The conference also discussed the future of the nightclub industry, with fresh calls on the Irish Government to implement promised reforms for this sector.
Elsewhere, Dr Ciara Power, of the Give us the Night campaign, had said that they want responsibility for licencing laws taken from the Justice Department.
"The previous Government had committed to drafting and putting forward the sale of alcohol bill in 2022, and this Government has deprioritised that and doesn't seem to be following through on the commitments made by the previous justice minister", she said.
"We feel now that a constructive conversation needs to be had about whether licensing legislation is best placed in the Department of Justice, or whether it needs to move over to the Department of Culture and find its home in the nighttime economy unit.
"This wouldn't be an unusual thing if we look at our neighbouring nations," she said. "Up North, licensing falls within the Department for Communities and is still administered by the courts. Across the Irish Sea, licensing falls within local councils because it's considered a planning issue.
"So we want something similar, and we feel now is the right time to do that".
Meanwhile, Kathy Gleeson who owns the Vintage Inn in Dublin's Ringsend, spoke about how she has managed to diversify business in her suburban pub.
"I would describe my pub as an events company, first and foremost," she said. "We do a speed quiz every Wednesday, we do drag bingo, we have an Irishtown folk session, we do live music, we have Sunday roast, wedding day twos, everything.
"I think when you tap into what's around you, audience-wise, especially if you're in the suburbs, you don't have to cast the net too wide to look for inspiration to fill your business and keep going".
"The pub needs to find its new place always". (All quotes in this piece according to RTÉ).
This issue regarding the night life industry is being advised on by international experts from the UK and EU, as Ireland's night-time economy continues to deal with the effects of the post pandemic hangover.
