Publication of the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce

Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh welcomes the publication of the Report of the Night-Time Economy Taskforce and believes there is a need to set up a working group for the night time economy in Waterford on foot of the recommendations contained in the report. The Night-time Economy Taskforce was established by Minister Catherine Martin, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and was , a key Green Party commitment in the Programme for Government. The taskforce, made up of a wide range of Government Departments and Agencies, the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork and campaign group Give Us The Night, examined key challenges facing night-time culture. These included regulations, licencing laws, transport and diversity of cultural activities, with the aim of identifying solutions and new opportunities.   

Speaking after the launch of the report, Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said:

Strengthening our night time economy in Waterford was a priority for me even before the pandemic because of the opportunities a thriving sector presents and the contribution it will make to the local economy, our cultural and creative communities and the social fabric of our city. As we begin to emerge out of the pandemic, it is crucial that we support that sector which is so important for our social lives, our culture and our communities. COVID has changed how we socialise and how we meet others and as restrictions continue to lift, we want to turn the lights back on, re-ignite our evening and night-time culture and help our city and our county towns thrive again after dark.

I welcome the very practical proposed solutions suggested in the report which include extensions to the opening hours of cultural institutions, retail and hospitality alongside late night travel options and the piloting of ‘Night-Time Economy Advisors’. These and other pilot measures suggested in the report will help us to address challenges in the sector and make it more resilient as it transforms evening and night time culture for both young and old.

The Report of the Night Time Recovery Taskforce is available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/c1ba7-report-of-the-night-time-economy-taskforce/