A Night-Time Economy Taskforce has been set up by the Irish government
One thing the government has done in a positive light this week among all the absolute rubbish surrounding it, is follow through with a the establishment of the night-time economy taskforce, as they promised in the programme for government.
Today, Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht Catherine Martin T.D. announced the establishment of a new Taskforce to address sustainable night-time culture and economy.
In doing so, Martin said:
“The establishment of a Night-Time Economy Taskforce is a key commitment in the Programme for Government and I am delighted that my Department will be leading and driving this initiative. The importance of working collaboratively with all relevant partners including key Government Departments and Agencies cannot be overstated. I want creative thinking and innovative solutions to the challenges facing the night-time economy and I want every opportunity explored and maximised. I am particularly pleased that Sunil Sharpe of Give us the Night has agreed to participate in the Task Force, as well as the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cork cities, who have already overseen much work in this area. It is anticipated that Give us the Night and the two Local Authorities will give a presentation on their vision, and their work to date at the first meeting of the Taskforce.
“I am also asking the Taskforce to conduct an intensive stakeholder engagement process with all relevant sectors and interested parties who have a significant role in the night-time economy to ensure that all views and ideas are considered by the Taskforce. While it won’t be possible to have every interested party on the Taskforce, they can be sure that their views will be heard and will be an important part of the process.
“Covid-19 has severely restricted social gatherings and has been detrimental to the night time economy and culture of our cities, towns and villages. However, as the economy opens up in the coming months (dependent on the current health advice), the industry needs to be ready to bounce back and to have as few obstacles as possible to develop and grow. This Taskforce will be well placed to look at all the challenges facing the development of a vibrant night time culture and economy such as regulations, licencing laws, transport, and diversity of cultural activities among other issues.”
The Taskforce will be chaired by the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht and will meet in the coming weeks and promises a report with policy recommendations within six months of this first meeting.
Members of the taskforce will include Dublin Lord Mayor Hazel Chu, Cork Lord Mayor Joe Kavanagh, representatives of the Give Us The Night campaign, the Arts Council, Failte Ireland along with Gardai, National Cultural Institutions, Local Authority Arts Officers, CCMA, NTA and other government departments.
A Night-Time Economy Taskforce is one of the tenets of the Give Us The Night campaign.
