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Minister Martin announces establishment of new Night-time Economy Taskforce

“This Taskforce will be a dynamic forum to seek innovative solutions to the challenges the industry faces” – Martin 

Today, Catherine Martin T.D., Minister for Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht announced the establishment of a new Taskforce which will see a range of Departments, Agencies and groups working together to promote and develop a vibrant and sustainable night-time culture and economy. 

Speaking today, Minister 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.” 

Minister Martin also said: “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.” 

She continued: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.” 

This commitment follows work already carried out in relation to this project in 2019 and earlier this year.  The Taskforce will be chaired by the Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and the Gaeltacht and will meet in the coming weeks. It is expected to deliver a report with policy recommendations to the Minister within six months of this first meeting.

Notes to Editor

 

Task Force on the Night Time Economy

 

Membership

  • Give us the Night
  • Lord Mayor of Dublin
  • Lord Mayor of Cork
  • Arts Council
  • Chair of Council of National Cultural Institutions
  • Chair of Local Authority Arts Officers
  • Chair of the CCMA
  • National Transport Authority
  • An Garda Síochána
  • Fáilte Ireland
  • Department of Justice and Equality
  • Department of Climate Action and Environment
  • Department of Climate Action and Transport
  • Department of Rural and Community Development
  • Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
  • Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
  • Department of Media, Tourism, Arts, Culture, Sport and Gaeltacht (Chair)

 

Terms of Reference

  1. Explore and define a vision for a vibrant night-time ecology in our cities and towns which is diverse and inclusive.
  2. Identify international models of best practice.
  3. 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 in the work of the Taskforce.  This process will also include meetings with key stakeholders, and a call for submissions from interested parties.
  4. Conduct a detailed venue mapping exercise with local authorities and culture sector partners.
  5. Complete and seek information on current pilots (DCC and CCC) and initiate further pilots in rural locations to determine any further challenges that rural communities may face.
  6. Building on the experience of the pilots examine the establishment of local committees to advance and improve our night-time entertainment and creative offerings in other urban areas.
  7. Conduct a  full  review  of  the  regulations  and  policy framework governing our night-time culture at national and  local  level.
  8. Highlight other key challenges arising from pilot projects and the current restrictions due to Covid-19 and identify priority solutions/actions including but not limited to:
    • Transport
    • Public Order
    • Diversity of Cultural Offering
  9. Make recommendations to the Minister for the development of a Policy on the Night Time Economy.