SEOs should be displayed – INIA

Coinciding with any “immediate” reduction in the cost of a Special Exemption Order to €200 as proposed by the INIA, the Association is advocating the introduction of a requirement that SEOs are prominently displayed when granted.

“This ‘Pay & Display’ system will help improve compliance in this licensing area and generate more income for the Exchequer,” explained INIA Chief Executive Barry O’Sullivan, “For every 50 SEOs that ‘slip through the cracks’ per week, the Exchequer loses €1 million per annum.”

Both these reforms can be introduced almost immediately via a Statutory Instrument, he pointed out.

The INIA also seeks an end to the current practice of District Court Judges imposing blanket early closures. Dublin and Donegal are the only two counties where the permitted SEO hour of 2.30am is granted. In every other District the SEO expires at 2am and in some areas at 1.30am for which the operators still pay €410.

“This is neither the spirit nor letter of the law,” stated Barry O’Sullivan.