Let’s call time on pub proposal to serve patrons outside

Sir, – I read a report that An Coimisiún Pleanála (June, 23rd) refused to allow bars in Camden Street to operate with “street tables” until closing time.

We are in the middle of the greatest housing crisis the State has ever endured and the idea that bars, in an area where there are many residential properties, could even consider applying to serve patrons outside – with the attendant noise thereby disturbing the neighbourhood until late into the evening, or indeed into the early morning – is simply baffling.

I most certainly welcome the decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála. From my own observations in Dublin city centre and various provincial towns, patrons congregating outside licensed premises – even without table service – late at night can itself be extremely disturbing for local residents.

No wonder the “living above the shop” proposal, which is an excellent idea, hasn’t been taken up with the numbers the idea fully deserves. – Yours, etc,