Our Objectives

 

The Irish Nightclub Industry Association has three primary objectives in the short-medium term:

 
  • The lowering of the cost of Special Exemption Orders
     
  • The early introduction of a specific Nightclub Permit in legislation through the Sale of Alcohol Bill
     
  • The extension of nightclub operating hours nationwide to introduce a meaningful time differential between nightclubs and other late night venues. 
     
  • The early introduction of a specific Nightclub Permit in legislation through the Sale of Alcohol Bill
 
 
Special Exemption Orders
 
The INIA is seeking a reduction the fee charged for Special Exemption Orders that nightclubs are required to obtain for every night of operation from €410 to €200 per SEO. This SEO fee of €410 is payable, every night a nightclub opens its front door.
 
At present a large nightclub operating 360 nights every year and trading 18 hours every week pays €148,000 annually for SEOs. This contrasts with the €3,805 annual fee charged to publicans for trading the maximum 90 hours a week, or the €1,500 annual fee for off-licences trading up to 78.5 hours per week.
 
The INIA believes that a reduction in the fee for SEOs to €200 per order would be Exchequer neutral and a win-win by boosting the hospitality industry, saving jobs, and generating further excise and VAT revenue for the State.
 
A one-page briefing document on SEOs is available here
 
and you can also read Licence Fees and Commercial Viability in the Nightclub Industry  by Anthony Foley of Dublin City University Business School.
 
 
 
Extension of Operating Hours
 
The INIA is seeking better trading hours for our members. We wish to see the licensing system amended to allow extended hours under the Nightclub Permit. This would introduce a meaningful time differential between nightclubs and other late night venues, and allow for sequential closing of late night venues, meaning a more gradual and controlled dispersal of patrons at closing time. 

We believe the current licensing system is outdated, not fit for purpose, and severely impacts the night-time economy and undermines Ireland’s tourist offering. We are currently engaging with the Government on this issue.

 

A comparison of the existing licensing frameworks governing nightclubs, a review of alcohol consumption trends in Ireland, and the INIA proposals for the nightclub industry can be viewed here :

 
 
 
Sale of Alcohol Bill and introduction of a Nightclub Permit
 
We are seeking the introduction of a Nightclub Permit under the upcoming Sale of Alcohol Bill.
 
At present there is no definition of a nightclub in law, and we propose to address this in the Bill incorporating specific conditions, lower fees, and the highest standards of trading. 
 
A nightclubs primary function and unique selling point is the provision of entertainment through music, performances and dancing. The sale of alcohol for consumption on the premises is secondary. We are seeking that nightclubs should be allowed entertain their customers while they are legally on the premises, up to and including finishing their drinks.
 
The Nightclub Permit will for the first time in Irish Law define the attributes of a nightclub.