The Restaurants Association of Ireland says it is time for the ban on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday to be lifted. Under the Intoxicating Liquor Act bars and restaurants will not be allowed serve alcoholic beverages today.
The Act from 1927 enshrined in law that alcohol could not be sold on Christmas Day, Good Friday and St. Patrick's Day. The ban on St. Patrick's Day was lifted in 1960 but remains in place for the other two dates with some exemptions.
In 2009 a Galway District Judge said prosecuting restaurants that offered wine with meals on Good Friday was "ludicrous". Judge Mary Fahy decided not to record convictions against 9 restaurants that had done this.
Loopholes in legislation
The association says there is frustration from restaurateurs as several greyhound stadiums around Ireland have been granted licenses to serve alcohol today. The legislation also provides certain other exemptions allowing the sale of alcohol to those travelling by sea, rail, air or ferry.
People can also be sold alcohol while attending a licensed theatre, a national cultural institution or guests staying in a licenses premises such as a hotel.
Adrian Cummins is the Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland. He says it is damaging for the tourism industry and is calling for the law to be changed.
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