Election 2024: How Will Each Party Save Ireland’s Nightlife
Words: Dray Morgan
Nightlife in Ireland is teetering on a knife edge. The long-awaited promise of licensing revisions for late night venues has still yet to be actualised. This, combined with the rising costs of keeping late ngiht venues open, has seen a consistent decline of Irish nightlife over the past two decades. Since 2000, four out of five Irish nightclubs have shut their doors for good. In October 2022, the government revealed that as part of the general scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill, clubs would be able to remain open until 6AM. The coalition Government later suggested that this would be in place for summer 2023. Disappointingly, a year after the changes were announced, Leo Varadkar confirmed that no modernisation would happen before Summer 2024. Yet here we are with no overhaul of nighlife legislation. So, how does each party plan to revitalise Ireland after-hours?
Sinn Féin
Delivering an Arts Spaces Capital Programme, ensuring spaces for culture and nightlife are included in city development planning.
Examine ways to better enforce existing anti-tout legislation, bring dynamic pricing under
control, and develop a platform to distribute tickets so that no seat is left empty.
Introduce a designated ‘night venue’ classification in licensing and planning law.
Consider the extension of trading hours in line with other European countries,
Support late night entertainment in cafés and more options for alcohol-free events.
Read the full manifesto here.
Fine Gael
Introduce a €300 Culture Card for 16 and 17-year olds to access theatre, music, and art events,
Promote later opening hours at museums, galleries, and other cultural venues to offer flexible access for visitors.
Read the full manifesto here.
Green Party
Enact the Intoxicating Liquors Bill 2024 to reform venue licensing restrictions and allow for later closing times in nightlife venues.
Provide financial incentives for live venues to support the development of new creative acts
Increase funding for policing, emergency services and nighttime public transport.
Mandate all local authorities to develop nighttime action plans.
Provide funding for additional nighttime advisors.
Increase departmental funding for nightlife to €10 million.
In their 2020 manifesto, The Green Party pledged to “Review and revise the current licensing legislation to facilitate late night openings for bars and venues across the country.” The legislation has since been reviewed, however no revisions have since been enacted.
The Green Party were the only party in power to have acknowledged nightlife revisions in their 2020 manifesto.
Read the full manifesto here
Labour
Reform licensing laws to allow for more flexibility in opening hours and the variety of places that can sell alcohol.
Create an annual nightclub licence.
Update noise management regulations for nighttime venues.
Read the full manifesto here.
Social Democrats
Introduce an annual Culture Voucher, worth €200, to encourage 18–24-year-olds to take
part in cultural activities.
Legislate for later opening hours for venues and bars, as well as further extending the hours of public transport systems.
Support the establishment of Night Mayors in each of our major cities.
Read the full manifesto here.
