Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

We must place matters in perspective. There are certain mores which one must respect. Over 90% of the people of this country subscribe to being Christian. If one visits any of the Muslim countries and if one begins to engage in an argument or a debate on alcohol, one would soon be told where to go. This has nothing to do with tolerance or intolerance; it has to do with reflecting the majority view - in fact the overwhelming majority view as even those who are agnostic accept that Good Friday has a special meaning for the Christian belief. To consider that we would have a debate on changing the liquor laws to facilitate drink on Good Friday because of a sporting event, notwithstanding the economic impact it would have on Limerick and I sympathise with them-----