Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Deputy. Local authorities need to think beyond the traditional things that they fund. The scheme gives them and the local economy a complimentary benefit in terms of the ability to develop different spaces and provide capital investment. I share the Deputy's remarks and we need to see that engagement.

In fairness, the night-time economy action plan and task force happening across Government, between justice, arts and culture and finance, is resulting in better co-ordination and we are seeing that impetus and focus of the night-time economy, which has delivered. Some 472 applications were received for the recent fund and over 2,000 events were held. We are seeing that momentum and we need to underpin that. From a Chief Whip's perspective, I am aware that the legislation on licensing is a priority for the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and is key to unlocking one area of the night-time economy. We also need to continue the momentum on a diverse range of events which the Deputy has referenced, as well as getting local authorities to look at this from a capital perspective.

See this speech in context