Government ministers have decided there will be deregulation of the pubs industry and no limit on the number of pub licences in a bid to “revitalise and reinvigorate” rural Ireland.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said there would be “no limit” on the Government’s issuing of licences after a cooling-off period, unless a court rules otherwise.
The plan is part of Minister McEntee’s massive overhaul of the country’s antiquated licensing laws, many of which go back over 200 years to 1815.
Read More: Irish pubs opening hours overhaul means pints can soon be served until 6am
These include new laws that will allow nightclubs open until 6am in the morning 364 days a year and late night bars keep the drink flowing until 2:30 am.
The only day where there will be any restrictions on these new late night and nightclub licences will be Christmas Day.
Ordinary pubs will have new standardised opening hours, from 10.30am to 12.20am, seven days a week.
And off licences will be able to open their doors at 10.30 every morning, serving until 10pm every night.
Legislation will be brought before the Oireachtas as soon as possible to give effect to the new laws, with next April or May a target date for implementation.
The pub trade has given the laws a lukewarm welcome, with both lobby groups, the VFI (Vintners Federation of Ireland), primarily representing country pubs, and the LVA (Licensed Vintners Association), representing mostly their Dublin colleagues, saying they need more time to study the 500 page draft Bill.
Ms McEntee has also moved to help businesses reopen or open new pubs around the country, especially in rural areas where the pub was often the lifeblood of a community.
Currently, if you wish to open a pub or off licence you must buy an existing one from another premises, normally one that is closing down or has already brought down their shutters.
The Justice Minister will remove this requirement, called extinguishing, with a three year phasing out period.
This will effectively see the deregulation of the pub sector in Ireland from 2026, as Ms McEntee said she hopes the new laws will come into play “before next summer.”
Ms McEntee told the Mirror: “We are not going to put any limit on them.
“What we are going to do is allow for the courts to decide if there is a conscientious objection and if it’s thought there’s too much of a concentration of pubs, nightclubs, late bars or cultural venues, there may be too high a concentration, and they can decide.
A spokesman for the VFI said: “The Vintners’ Federation of Ireland has received from Government the General Scheme of the Sale of Alcohol Bill.
“The Bill has the potential to radically alter how the pub trade operates in this country and a proper analysis of its content is required before the Federation comments further.
“We will also consult with our membership about next steps.
“However, from initial soundings, it is fair to state there is huge concern within the trade about elements of the Bill.
“We will engage with Government at the earliest opportunity, once our analysis of the Bill is complete.”
An LVA spokesman said they “have concerns” and will be “examining the complex legislation in detail” before making any more comment.
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