Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
TRANSPORT MINISTER Leo Varadkar has formally designated the main arena at the RDS as a ‘national sporting arena’.
The order, which took effect on February 7, means the RDS becomes the fifth arena in the country to enjoy the designation.
The title does not come with any particular meaning or status – but rather means that it’s easier for the operators of the stadium to obtain licences to sell alcohol at games.
Under legislation introduced by then-minister Mary Hanafin in 2005, stadiums designated as national sporting arenas are automatically entitled to alcohol licences from the Revenue Commissioners, upon payment of a flat €250 fee.
The idea behind the system is that it is easier for stadium operators to obtain a single licence than to have to obtain individual liquor licences for each of the bars that operate in a stadium.
It also means that stadium operators do not run the risk of losing their licence if there is anti-social behaviour on their premises, as stadium owners merely need to present tax clearance certificates and do not have to have their licences renewed in a court.
Holders of such licences are also permitted to sell alcoholic drinks from the time that people are permitted to enter the arena – and can continue selling alcohol for an hour after the event finishes, even if this passes the usual 11:30pm or 12:30am ‘last orders’ time.
Other venues which enjoy the designation include the Aviva Stadium, home of the Irish national rugby and soccer teams, Munster’s Thomond Park venue in Limerick, the GAA headquarters at Croke Park and the Tipperary GAA county ground at Semple Stadium.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
household tax 100 euro.
Licence to print money at a sporting arena 250 euro.
That is a joke surely there should be a bigger fee .
Well, it means there’s no separate applications for all the different bars at different events – is that not a good thing?
I thought the moaning classes were in favour of cutting red tape.
Very sad when an old falling down arena gets a licence to sell booze.. The other venues are up to very high standard and excellent facilities.. RDS is run down, old and facilities shocking especially in bad weather. The only people going to make money out of this is the concert promotors. They should be given a request to assist in modernising the venue 1st and then alcohol liscense should be reviewed and granted.. €250!!! ha would get you a proper bottle of champagne in the gud auld daysssss..
I’ll be renewing my membership so :0)
Another cockup by Leo. He seems to be a walking disaster
How’s this a “cock-up”?
Because it was done by someone in Government — and for Journal readers that automatically renders it a cock-up, regardless of the actual merits of the decision.
That’s what I thought Paul Mc, thanks for confirming that.
It’s a complete lose for anyone living near the stadium. The venue now can easily get one licence for as many bars as it wants on site, if there is an increased anti social incidents onsite they have no risk at losing this licence and don’t even need to go to court to do so.
Seems that folks don’t read the articles anymore.
Any who, bye bye Leo :)
Anti social behaviour? At a Leinster home match? Really? That would certainly be a first. This is negativity at its worst, a sporting/music venue being granted ‘national status’ is not a cock-up as you stated. Matches and concerts take place regularly in the RDS at the this present moment, what will this new status change? Nothing. Open your curtains Philip and look up, the sun does shine you know.
The amount of hearsay and rubbish being spouted in this comments section is reaching an all time high!
If the licence fee is only €250 can they please reduce the price of drink at the stadium. Where has all the anti drink campaign gone when there is a tax windfall placed before the goverment.
have your say