90-year-old Good Friday ban on alcohol sales to be lifted

The almost century-old ban on selling alcohol on Good Friday is due to be lifted by next year.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is likely to announce soon that she will not oppose a bill in the Seanad proposing the abolition of the ban.

It is thought the provisions of the bill will then be combined by the Government with it’s own legislation aimed at reforming the consumption as well as sale and supply of alcohol.

Independent Senators’ Billy Lawless, Victor Boyhan, Michael McDowell and Gerard Craughwell’s Intoxicating Liquor (Amendment) Bill 2017 is due to come before the Upper House next week.

According to sources, the bill is aimed at pubs, whereas the Government’s own legislation will likely be broader.

The move will probably be included in the Sale of Alcohol Bill, expected to appear later this year.

The legislation will amend the laws on alcohol with “streamlined and updated provisions more suited to modern conditions”.

A source told The Irish Times: “The decision at this point is to not oppose the bill, hear the arguments and consider it under in the Sale of Alcohol Bill.”

Publicans have long sought repeal of the ban, introduced in 1927.

However, there are fears in Northern Ireland that bars and restaurants will miss out on an estimated £16 million as a result of the advantage afforded the Republic.

Hospitality Ulster chief Colin Neill expressed worry that the Northern Ireland will be left behind.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Mr Neill said: “Once again we are left lagging behind our second largest tourism market competitor, the Republic of Ireland. With their progressive licensing laws that offer customers what they want and a Tourism VAT rate of nine per cent, it’s Northern Ireland that will lose out, and that’s a fact.

“You only need to visit Carlingford this Easter and watch the buses arriving from the north to see just how much we lose every Easter.”

Mr Neill added that “this is not just about one day; we have restricted sales over the entire Easter weekend”.

“The hospitality industry will lose out on over £16m of income — money that pays the rates and wages, and sustains many small Critics’ Circle Theatre Awards earlier this year.”

He added: “We don’t do politics, but this is another clear example of how no devolved government is impacting our economy and I would appeal to our elected representatives to find a way to re-establish the NI Assembly and implement a Bill that will make real changes to our licensing laws.”