Ireland's late bars and nightclubs could soon be allowed open until 6am under new proposals.
The Daily Mail reported recently that the move is edging closer and could be allowed as soon as this summer.
It would be a major shift from the 2:30 AM cut-off necessitated by current licensing laws.
The closing time for standard pubs would not be changing - bars must close by 12:30 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, with an earlier close of 11:30 PM in the week and 11 PM on Sunday nights.
Minister Helen McEntee kickstarted the proposal in 2021 in the hopes of having it up and running later this year.
Speaking at the time, the Minister said: 'I hope to have it implemented next year, so this is not about having everything in place when Covid hopefully leaves us or that we’re in a position where our night-time economy can presume, but it's making sure that that industry knows we’re planning ahead.
“This legislation cannot happen overnight, it will take time.
She said that she wanted it to kick in “as soon as possible”.
“We need to make sure that we engage with all stakeholders and that we do so appropriately,” Minister McEntee added.
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