Promoters, DJs and venue owners met last week to discuss issues around licensing and venues in Dublin and beyond.

The meeting was organised by a campaign group called Give Us The Night. DJ Sunil Sharpe is involved in the campaign, and he explained what their aim is.

"We want to start debate and discussion about our licensing system here in Ireland, and later opening is one part of that."

"In Dublin we've had later opening hours on and off over the years and it has worked. I see it regularly abroad. It's what the police in those areas want, it's what the people involved in the night-time industry want."

Sunil understands the concerns some members of the public might have about later opening times, but says there needs to be an overhaul of Irish licensing laws.

"Some of the arguments that will come up are about local residents or excess alcohol consumption, but there are ways around this. We have to do something about it now."

Dr. Chris Luke from Cork University Hospital is mindful of the potential health and safety consequences, but sees no issue with extended opening hours as long as customers are looked after.

"I have no particular problem with it as long as people understand that, where clubs are profiting from extended hours, they should pay for whatever the consequences are in terms of public order and health."

"In places like Bristol and Belfast for instance, they provide a medical bus in the city centre where people who are worse for wear or have minor injuries are looked after, and I think that's a way forward."