Night-time economy
Senator Warfield said nightlife is poorly catered for in law, criticised the expensive special exemption order system, and sought a debate when the night-time economy task force reports. Senator Gavan briefly endorsed his point.
Last weekend, the Business Post led with the Tánaiste's statement that there would be no indoor gatherings of more than 50 people until the autumn. While the GAA and weddings receive an awful lot of warranted attention in these Houses, nightlife and the night economy rarely do. That is probably because those who legislate for it, with all due respect, have little experience of that sector.
Comment on this
There is no specific nightclub licence or permit in law. Instead, we have a shocking special exemption order system, which is a ridiculous mechanism that costs businesses hundreds of euro every month in court and solicitor fees, and an additional tax for later opening hours. Millions of euro leave the industry to pay for bureaucracy every year.
I understand that the Government has set up a night-time economy task force which is due to report in June. I would welcome a debate in this House at the point when the Minister presents the Houses with the report from the task force. Dublin, Cork and other cities around the country need a thriving nightlife. The world can no longer be placed into a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. box and a 9 p.m. to 2.30 a.m. box. Better use of our cities and spaces is needed. We are spending more time on our screens and more people will be working from home. People need social interactions and we need a situation that is comparable to that enjoyed by our European neighbours. Dublin does not even rank among the 30 best cities in the world for quality of life. We cannot reopen nightlife on the same terms on which it closed. It needs to be reformed and we need to do that in time for its reopening.
