The ban on selling alcohol on Good Friday should be lifted so football fans can drink during next year’s Ireland vs Switzerland international friendly, the Licensed Vintners’ Association has said.
The association, which represents about 600 Dublin publicans, called on the Government to introduce legislation to permit trading for all licensed premises on Good Friday, which falls on March 25th next year.
LVA chief executive Donall O’Keefe said the ban confuses tourists each year and means soccer fans will not be able to watch the match in their local pub.
“Every Good Friday we have tens of thousands of tourists wandering around Dublin asking why they can’t go into a pub for a drink,” he said.
‘50,000 soccer fans’
“Now we are going to have up to 50,000 soccer fans facing the same problem. Not to mention the tens of thousands who will want to watch the match in their local pub.”
The international friendly will be held at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Mr O’Keefe said the law discriminated against the licensed trade and made no financial sense. It should be lifted before the Easter 2016 celebrations next year, he added.
“The Easter 2016 celebrations – and now this soccer international – provide a terrific opportunity to showcase our capital city and it would be ridiculous if the entire hospitality sector was again forced to close on Good Friday.
“It’s estimated that up to a quarter of a million people will pass through Dublin Airport that weekend. Once again they will be faced with locked doors on Good Friday unless the Minister takes action now.”
Patrick’s Day clause repealed
The Intoxicating Liquor Act, when introduced in 1927, said alcoholic drinks could not be sold on Christmas Day, Good Friday and St Patrick’s Day. The St Patrick’s Day clause was repealed in 1960 to accommodate visitors coming from overseas to celebrate the national holiday.
There are some exemptions to the ban, with the sale of alcohol permitted to passengers travelling by air, sea and rail on Good Friday.
People can also be sold alcohol while attending a licensed theatre, a national cultural institution or as guests staying in a licensed premises, such as a hotel, as long as it is with a meal.
Last year a survey conducted by Ignite Research showed 36 per cent of Irish people believe the ban should be lifted.
