Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I seek clarification from the Minister of State on a point I raised earlier regarding sequential closing times. Whatever the case may be in Wales, England or Scotland, has the Garda made a submission, either orally or in writing, that there is a problem from the perspective of policing or monitoring people coming onto the streets at 2 a.m., 3 a.m. or 4 a.m.? I understand, from the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, that senior gardaí have stated it is not an issue.

I also find it hard to believe another point. If a nightclub closes at 2.30 a.m. or 3 a.m., I fail to discern the reason there also would be a problem with people spilling onto the streets from pubs, which I understand close much earlier. Although I do not have a problem with nightclubs, I have heard its lobby expressing its concern in this regard. Most nightclub owners, when their premises' doors are closed, are not one bit concerned about where people go or what happens out on the street. Let us be real. That is my strongly held view.