Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider amending the licensing laws to allow premises such as pubs to open on Good Friday if they so wish and serve alcohol; the reasons for the current ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16509/13]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if any consideration has been given to changing the law to allow pubs to serve alcohol on Good Friday and Christmas Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16519/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 894 and 895 together.

The position is that the Government Legislation Programme provides for publication of the Sale of Alcohol Bill in late 2013. It is intended that the Bill will modernise the law relating to the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol in licensed premises and registered clubs, including the statutory provisions relating to times when alcohol may be sold, by repealing the Licensing Acts 1833 to 2011 and the Registration of Clubs Acts 1904 to 2008 and replacing them with streamlined and updated provisions. The statutory provisions restricting the sale of alcohol on Good Friday and Christmas Day, which have historical origins, will be examined in that context.