Sir, – The proposed extension of licensing hours for pubs and clubs has been criticised as exacerbating the risk of alcohol-associated harm in a country that has one of the highest levels of per capita alcohol consumption in the EU.
What is absent from the discussion and is the question on which the success of these measures hangs is whether this is about enhancing the Irish drinking culture or the Irish night culture.
If the new laws are to align night culture with what happens in Europe, then we need to obliterate the cultural tolerance of binge drinking – which in most European cities is culturally unacceptable.
Extending the licensing laws to enhance night culture will only work if additional supports are put in place. A vibrant night culture is about dance, art, music, good company, and food- with alcohol to enhance all of that. It needs infrastructure to support artists and musicians that is protected from the long arm of investors. Late night public transport that is reliable, safe, and affordable.
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Night life is not just about people who want to drink and don’t want to go home. It must be about giving people an opportunity to meet, mingle, relax, and express themselves.
If the emphasis in changing the licensing laws is placed on allowing young adults an opportunity to be creative around art, music, dance, and food with alcohol providing an opportunity to enhance those outlets – then the extension of licensing hours has the potential to be transformative. – Yours, etc,
Dr CATHERINE CONLON
Ballintemple,
Cork