Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

At that stage, I felt that one day off was quite relaxing but things move on. I welcome Mr. Padraig Cribben from the VFI and the other organisations that represent publicans. It is not realistic in this day and age and we have to look at the whole business of tourism in towns and cities. People are coming here from abroad and are not aware that on this day one cannot purchase a drink in a public house throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. It is strictly adhered to. Last Saturday Ian O'Doherty wrote a very good article about this issue. He quoted a priest in Limerick who commented on Michael Noonan being in favour of lifting the ban. The article stated, "Fr Joe Young, chaplain with the city's Brothers of Charity, admits that the restriction is: 'Completely and utterly pointless... People should be allowed to make up their own minds about whether they drink alcohol on the day.'" He made the point that alcohol is sold in the Vatican City. From an economic point of view about €30 million is lost in sales and about €6 million lost for Revenue.

The biggest trouble publicans have is not about opening or closing on Good Friday, it is below cost selling in supermarkets. That is a fact. That is what is causing the greatest difficulties to the licensed trade. Our parish of Castlecoote, Fuerty, was awarded the county Fleadh Cheoil 2017 under the auspices of Athleague Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. It is taking place from Easter Sunday, 16 April, starting at 3 o'clock, to Easter Monday, 17 April. It is a very important event for our parish. It has never happened in a rural area before. As it happens, there are three pubs in the village. There is Dalton's, PJ Naughton's and the Castlecoote Lodge, bar and lounge. Those three pubs cannot open on Good Friday. People will arrive in the village, because we are providing parking on our farm, which adjoins the pub, but we cannot provide toilet facilities for them because we cannot open the pub. That is a practical issue. One might say it is not a great reason to open the pub on Good Friday but it is not a bad reason. It highlights to me how ridiculous this situation is. It is 90 years since it was decided.

I will take a stand and will oppose totally the opening of pubs on Christmas Day. I think everyone in the House would say that under no circumstances-----