The idea would be to avoid thousands of drinkers pouring out onto the streets at once.
The closing time of late bars around Ireland could be staggered to avoid thousands of drinkers going home at the same time, Culture Minister Josepha Madigan has said.
Currently the majority of bars in towns and cities close shut up shop between 1.30am and 2am, resulting in a mass conversion of drinkers onto the streets.
As part of the process, Ms Madigan suggested licencing laws could be looked at.
In urban areas the situation frequently results in large queues for taxis and can pose a challenge for gardaí.
“It is an issue that we’re looking at. There is, perhaps, an argument to say that we could staggered an approach so that not everybody is coming out on the street at the same time,” Ms Madigan told the Independent.
Night Mayors.
Meanwhile as part of their election campaign, Fine Gael is proposing the appointment of ‘Night Mayors’.
The ambassadorial role would involve working to advance and improve night-time entertainment, creative and cultural offerings in towns around the country.
