Ms Ciara O'Connell:

The legislation governing this area dates from the 1930s. Surely we have moved on a little since. We and our businesses are being governed by an outdated law that needs reform in some way or another. We are not looking for instant reforms. We are looking to start the conversation and process, as which we have done today. The venue I run is small and focused on the arts, but it also has a night-time offering. We would never stay open very late, even if night-time licences were to be extended. I run a small family business, but it is complementary to what my colleagues are doing. A scene must offer everything, but that is not currently an option in Ireland because businesses such as mine which want to offer something different do not have the space in which to do so.