Licensees wishing to operate after midnight must apply to the District Court for a Special Exemption Order (SEO) pursuant to s.5 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927, as amended. An SEO is required for each night the licensee proposes to open late. An SEO allows for a publican to serve alcohol until 2.30 a.m. on the date specified in the SEO. The granting or refusal of an SEO is entirely a matter for the Court, which is independent in its functions. The decision of the District Court is appealable to the Circuit Court.
My Department does not record the number of SEOs granted, as this is a matter reserved entirely for the Court. It is open to the Deputy to contact the Courts Service directly in this regard, using the dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
In November 2021, a wide-ranging public consultation was launched by my Department, seeking the views of the public on the modernisation of Ireland’s licencing laws. Numerous organisations including representative bodies from the hospitality sector made submissions to this public consultation. The submissions can be found at the following link - www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/collections/submissions-from-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-sale-of-alcohol/.
The Department also published a Summary Report of the Responses to the Public Questionnaire on the Reform of Alcohol Licensing, which can be found at the following link, www.gov.ie/en/department-of-justice-home-affairs-and-migration/consultations/public-consultation-on-the-review-of-alcohol-licensing/.
The Programme for Government commits to updating our licensing laws, and in line with this commitment, this will be progressed in due course. All other night-time economy matters (including legislation for same) are the responsibility of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
