Campaigners say the move has been a long time coming.
Those campaigning for longer opening hours for pubs and clubs are remaining hopeful.
They believe new legislation for late closing times will come into effect by the end of the year.
It comes as details of a new bill will be published by the Minister for Justice in the coming weeks.
The proposed legislation is due before TDs and senators before the summer break.
To those who may feel licensing reform appears rushed or ill-conceived: Govt has been considering these changes for three years now and the bill itself (Sale of Alcohol Bill) was initially drafted in 2005. These changes are LONG overdue and can't come soon enough! #giveusthenight
— Give Us The Night (@GiveUsTheNight) April 2, 2022
In the proposed bill, nightclubs and other nightlife venues are expected to be allowed open until 6 am.
But the move won't come without proper infrastructure in place elsewhere.
Public transport options will have to coincide with the move, including 24-hour buses.
It's part of suggestions made by a Night-time Economy Taskforce set up in 2020.
The Minister for Tourism established it and members are pushing for changes now that lockdowns are over.
