Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The effect of this Bill would be to allow the sale of alcohol in pubs on Good Friday. Let us be clear about this - this is not the most important issue that will ever come before this House. The fabric of our society will not be rent asunder if this Bill passes, but nor will the common good be in any way served if it does pass. There are essentially two arguments for the Bill. One is to allow bigger pubs to sell more drink and make more money, because Fridays are days when pubs do more trade. Good Friday is about good trade for the bigger pubs in particular. Traditionally, the smaller pubs do not mind closing on Good Friday as it is regarded as a day to wash down the house and organise things, and certainly from a worker's point of view the day off was welcome.