Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)

The amendment constitutes a sensible approach. Up to now we have not had any structure in place to deal with nightclubs. Such clubs have been a phenomenon for a long number of years, having taken off in the late 1970s and early 1980s. A litany of special exemption orders comes before local courts every week or month and gardaí must attend the courts for this rigmarole. Everyone knows what is going on, yet we allow it to continue. Deputy Flanagan's amendment No. 52 would put nightclubs on a statutory footing once and for all, which is something we have not done up to now. I remember debating the matter in this House when we got rid of meals which, in theory, were served in nightclubs. Officially they were restaurants and one had to consume a meal. Sadly, I was one of those who frequented nightclubs regularly at the time and in reality slop was dished out to people at all hours of the night. No one knew what they were getting but it complied with the letter of the law and facilitated that situation.

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