Extended opening hours planned for pubs and clubs

Busy pubs in Temple Bar, Dublin, prior to Covid-19. Picture: Getty

Pubs and clubs will soon see extended opening hours, according to the Minister for Justice.

Helen McEntee is laying out her new justice plan today. It will include over 200 actions, including extended licensing hours and reducing the cost of the justice system for civilians.

"It's not about encouraging people to go out late on a Sunday night to get up for work on a Monday morning," she said.

The minister said it is 'about reforming licensing laws' for modern purposes. Many of the laws are based on legislation from 1833.

Acknowledging that the industry remains shuttered, Ms McEntee said this will give the sector a boost when it reopens.

"What I want to say purely to that industry, is that when you get back on your feet, we're going to be there to support you, because we have fantastic musicians, artists, DJs promoters, people working in this industry who are going to need more support when Covid finishes and that's what this legislation is about," she said.

Ms McEntee says she hopes to have the new laws implemented next year.

"This is not about having everything in place when Covid, hopefully, leaves us but it's making sure that that industry knows we're planning ahead, thinking beyond Covid.

"What we do know is that they will reopen, and that won't be the case for everyone. When they do reopen, we want to make sure that the laws that exist that they're not based on laws from 1833, that they are modern, and that they are fit for purpose.

"This legislation cannot happen overnight. It will take time. We're starting it now."

Responding to youth crime will also play a role in the new justice plan, with the department mulling new legislation on knife crime after a recent spate of attacks.

The state wants to ensure that there's a "comprehensive plan" to reach children who have become involved in criminal activity, as well as other young people "who are being attracted into criminal activity", according to Minister of State James Browne.

"We're going to have a review in the next couple of months into knife legislation.

"At the moment it's five years for possession of a knife, and that's one of the highest penalties in Europe and perhaps there might be an opportunity to produce a new offence of possessing a knife with intent to cause harm that might have greater separate effects, but it's always better to start with a review it has to be taken into consideration for penalties for offences to make sure that there are no intended consequences," he added.

The justice plan also includes a scheme to regularise 17,000, people who are undocumented, during the pandemic, the Department of Justice has given assurances there will be no deportations during Covid level 5 restrictions.

Ms McEntee said they need to take a 'compassionate approach' given the current scenario.

"What I want to do here is to show the same compassion to people living in this country, contributing to this community, their children are growing up, that we are asking for Irish citizens living in the US who are undocumented as well," Ms McEntee said.

"We have been working on, for some time, a scheme that will allow undocumented people to apply through a particular system, and that they would be able to hopefully become Irish citizens.

"We are expecting potentially up to 17,000 people, but potentially 3000 of those which are children to apply for the scheme and to benefit from this scheme. "