According to industry representatives, nightclubs in Dublin City should be permitted to remain, open until 4am, instead of the current closing time of 2.30am, in a bid to help boost tourist numbers and revenue.

Extending nightclub opening hours will generate an estimated extra €95million for the government and tourism sector. The extension will also mean that night clubs can stagger their release of punters onto the street, reducing problems associated with many drunk people congregating in one place at the same time- an initiative that has been rolled out in Britain and appears to be working.