The licensing courts in Dublin are likely to hear objections from senior members of the Garda Síochána when the special exemption orders for club licences come up for annual review this week.
Senior members of the force in Dublin met on Friday to consider public-order issues arising from late-night drinking.
Various options were considered, according to a Garda spokesman, who said the force did not want to comment further at the moment.
However, it is understood that the options under the existing licensing laws were discussed, including objections to special exemption orders.
Nightclubs operate under the normal licensing laws for public houses, but routinely seek special exemption orders allowing them to stay open later, sometimes up to 4.30 a.m.
There could be objections either to the length of the order, or to granting it at all.
In the past, bar extensions were granted for special occasions. Until 2000 a "substantial meal" had to be served, but that has since been changed.
At the moment either the local Garda superintendent or any member of the public can object to the granting of a special exemption order on the basis it would cause noise or nuisance. It has been rare for a Garda superintendent to object.
However, with increased publicity surrounding the problem of late-night drinking, it is likely that senior gardaí will exercise their right to object more strenuously than they have in the past.
It is understood the Garda Síochána is also looking at the situation of theatre licences, which allow for half an hour's drinking after the end of a performance. While this is not expected to have an impact on the major theatres, gardaí are looking at what constitutes a performance in other venues, and at situations where a "performance" ends at 3 or 4 a.m.