More bank holidays in Ireland would benefit people and businesses alike, one group has said.
Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions CEO Catherine Flanagan was speaking amid ongoing calls for a new July public holiday.
There are currently 10 public holidays in Ireland each year, which increased from nine in 2022.
Ireland has the least number of public holidays in the European Union. Lithuania tops the list with 15, followed by Croatia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovenia - who all have 14.
Czechia, Finland, Latvia and Poland have 13.
Ms Flanagan told Josh Crosbie for Newstalk Breakfast an extra day would be a win-win.
"We would see public holidays as a super opportunity, both for the Irish public just to take an extra day, and spend some time locally," she said.
"Also it's a super opportunity for our visitor attraction members to put on special events and to welcome more people in through the gates and doors".
'Economic benefit'
Ms Flanagan said bank holidays have a clear impact on the economy.
"Compared to a typical weekend, there's no doubt that bank holidays are drivers of footfall," she said.
"People spend that little bit more money in the shops and in the food and beverage outlets.
"We definitely see an economic benefit out of that".
"It also creates a few extra working hours for the staff members - those weekend staff, the students, the seasonal workers".
Ms Flanagan said an alternative to July could be September.
"I find that stretch between August and October a little bit long, and that last week in September would be the one that I'd have my eye on myself".
'When the sun shines'
There is political pressure too, as People Before Profit TD Brid Smith said workers deserve a break.
"I think public holidays are a great idea, I'd especially love to see them when the sun shines," she said.
"We have 10 now... and we have been arguing for the EU average, which is 12.
"Some of the [European] countries have an amazing amount: Iceland has 28, Belgium has 34.
"We'd want to get paid property to be able to enjoy them.
"If you had one every month, it'd be great, wouldn't it?
"A July and a September one would be great," she added.
'Business is going to lose'
However not everyone agrees. One man in Dublin told Josh enough is enough.
"A lot of people started to work from home, they got a better quality of life," he said.
"If you're on a four-day week and you've bank holidays, I think that's more than enough.
"Somewhere along the way, business is going to lose.
"OK, people will be off and spend more money on a bank holiday, but the likes of that - if they go out and spend too much money - it creates inflation.
"We have about 10 bank holidays, I think it's more than enough," he added.
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