Nightclubs will be allowed to open until 6 am from next year, under plans going to Cabinet this morning.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee wants to reform Ireland's licensing laws.
Under the plans, nightclubs can apply for a licence to stay open until 6 am. They'll have to stop serving alcohol at 5 am, but the dancing can continue until closing.
Venues seeking such a licence will still have to apply to the courts with objections allowed from fire authorities, Local Councils, the HSE, An Garda Síochána and local communities.
To get a nightclub licence venues will need CCTV and for staff to be registered with the Private Security Authority.
Opening hours for late bars will remain at 2.30 am with a new licence needed
The Department of Justice reckons many venues will continue to use that option, with only larger clubs seeking the 6 am option.
Pubs will also get slightly longer opening hours during the week, being allowed to trade between 10.30 am and 12.30 seven days a week, up from the current Monday to Friday closing hours of 11.30 pm.
It's part of a wider plan to bring together a patchwork of more than 100 laws on selling alcohol, some of which have been around for more than 200 years.
The Minister is hoping the new rules will be passed in 2023.
Reporting by Seán Defoe
