Bars and nightclubs are urging the Government to drop the mandatory €410 late night opening charge for at least six months to allow the sector to recover.
Most of the industry has been closed for nearly 18 months and want the fee scrapped to allow them to get back in business.
The Licensed Vintners Association has called for the charge to be waived to coincide with the reopening of nightclubs for a trial run from today.
As it stands any licensed premises which wants to open late is forced to make an additional payment to the Government of €410 per night.
LVA chief executive Donall O’Keeffe added: “There is an opportunity here for the Government to aid the revival of these venues simply by waiving the Government charges involved in Special Exemption Orders.”
