Policy To Be Developed For Night-Time Cultural Life

The Government is set to introduce a series of measures to support night-time cultural activity in Ireland.

Minister Josepha Madigan of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht announced the plans after holding a forum with key stakeholders to discuss current issues.

Pilot groups comprised of representatives from the creative and arts communities will be established in Dublin and Cork. The entertainment and business sectors, the local authority and the Gardai will also be represented, with members proposing practical local initiatives to improve culture in their city as well as identifying changes required at national level.

The work of the pilot groups will be fed into a National Night-Time Culture Steering Committee to tackle the regional and local issues identified. This work will culminate in the development of Ireland's first Night-Time Cultural Policy.

Finally, the Department will oversee a national survey of venues for night-time cultural activity, which will identify current venue use, possible improvements and also gaps in the venue network.

Minister Madigan commented: "Night time can be a very special time, one that can be full of creativity, unique energy and endless possibilities. Some of the most fun and exciting cultural and creative activities can and do happen at night time.

"Many EU and US cities have started to value and nurture nightlife and creative and cultural activity at night. Whether it's the appointment of Night Mayors in cities like London or initiatives like Museum Night, social and cultural activity after dark is appreciated and supported in a meaningful way.

"In the coming months we will be undertaking a number of initiatives to ensure the full potential of night-time cultural activity in Irish cities and towns is realised. I look forward to receiving the proposals of the two pilot groups in Dublin and Cork and the night-time venue survey. This important work will be supported at a national level by Government and I look forward to preparing Ireland's first night-time culture policy.

"I particularly want to thank the wide range of stakeholders who are working with us on this exciting project."