It has been announced this week that the Irish Government plan to pass the Liquor Licensing Bill 2008 within the next 3 weeks. This means that all late bars and venues will have to be shut at 2.30AM Monday to Saturday and 1AM on a Sunday.

It has been announced this week that the Irish Government plan to pass the Liquor Licensing Bill 2008 within the next 3 weeks. This means that all late bars and venues will have to be shut at 2.30AM Monday to Saturday and 1AM on a Sunday.

If it is passed it truly is a major setback to Irish night life. While other European cities like London, Berlin and Barcelona speed ahead with late night opening hours giving them the freedom to be more creative in their nights, Ireland has taken one step backwards.

It is a mystery to many of us why the Government would want a law passed whereby the entire city on your average Friday night pours out onto the street at the same time. Surely this will lead to more public offence incidents?

We also find it completely backward to completely write off a Sunday night with a ridiculous 1AM curfew. Have they taken into account that many people work different shifts to the average 9-5 regime and only have Sunday night as their outlet?

We know it is hard to write an article without all the facts and obviously having an involvement in the clubbing world we are undoubtedly going to be somewhat biased. However, we can only imagine the type, age and calibre of person that is trying to pass this law and the one pictured has zero knowledge of the clubbing community.

For those of you reading this we are sure you are of the opinion that the potential new bill is ridiculous, if so have your say and put your name to the [petition.] (http://www.inia.ie/pages/have-your-say.php)

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