Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On the point regarding the theatre licence, I recall the arguments about moving the pub licence hours at a time when they had to close at 11 p.m.. When the move to allow them to remain open until midnight or 12.30 a.m. there was no corresponding shift for any other licence, which might have addressed some of the problems. The distinction between both disappeared or became blurred. There was, at least, a recognition of a venue licence by a theatre licence. I have seen, in this city in particular, venues disappear. Most of this is related not to the venues not being viable but to property values. More and more of them are being squeezed out. In my own area, old cinemas and halls have been replaced with hotels. There is no space even within those hotels for what would have been a disco venue in the past, albeit the disco finished at 2 a.m. and everyone was turfed out on the roads at the same time. This issue has never been fully addressed. I agree with the witnesses that in other European cities, the closing time of pubs and venues is staggered. Venues are allocated a set number of hours during which they may be open or in some cases, there are no set hours, in that a venue can remain open for as long as is viable. We have never addressed that issue here.

Some of my questions may have been already addressed. If we move towards a more enlightened examination of how we regulate venues, will it be a 24-hour licence? In the next session, we will meet representatives from Dublin City Council representations. Over the past three decades, the council has encouraged the repopulation of the city centre. This has resulted in the establishment of venues in conflict with residents. I agree with the witnesses' remarks regarding the challenge of insurance. This challenge is present not only in relation to venues but in every walk of life. Businesses, small shops or venues of the types mentioned are being squeezed out of existence because of rip-off insurance costs in this country. Is there opposition from the Licensed Vintners Association to a shift in terms of the licensing of venues, be that theatre or other venues? Vintners are experiencing their own struggles in respect of their equilibrium. Do they see this another challenge to them?

I congratulate the witnesses on their vision. I have three brothers who are musicians. They regularly complain to me about licensing laws in venues and about not being able to continue when everybody is in a good space. This is not about people being able to drink more alcohol. Often, people are enjoying themselves when suddenly the lights come on and everybody is told to leave, killing the atmosphere that has been created, whether by music or dance. This can create tensions, which then spill out onto the street.