NO CHANGE TO GOOD FRIDAY BOOZING BAN
‘Bad pr’ during fight to tackle alcohol abuse
PINTS on Good Friday remain off the table – because the Tanaiste says allowing it would be a PR own goal for a Government trying to reduce boozing.
At a meeting between lobbyists and Frances Fitzgerald, the Justice Minister acknowledged the “possibility of changing attitudes to the prohibition” but added that overturning the 90-year-old ban might send “mixed signals”.
According to the minutes she said the move risked being “interpreted and portrayed as a lowering of the commitment” to tackling the serious health problem of alcohol abuse.
Minister Fitzgerald added: “The government needs to avoid ... diluting its key message.” Her officials also advised public consultation might be needed before the law could be changed, the Sunday Times reported.
It was suggested that alcohol could be sold after 6pm as an interim solution.
However, the officials argued “such a reform cannot be viewed entirely in isolation from the wider context of public concerns about excessive consumption of alcohol and the extent of alcoholrelated harm”.
Minister Fitzgerald promised to address the Good Friday issue as part of a separate Sale of
Alcohol Bill which would be “comprehensive, reforming legislation” to update the licensing system. However, this legislation has been delayed for a number of years.
Recently, the Licensed Vintners’ Association and the
Vintners’ Federation of Ireland launched the About Time campaign, calling for the laws to be changed. Padraig Cribben, CEO of the Vintners’ Federation, said: “The law is over 90 years old. In 2017 consumers should have the option to go out for a drink on Good Friday if they so choose. Indeed many are choosing to drink at home or organise house parties on the day.
“Friday itself is a very important trading day – for many publicans it accounts for 30% of their weekly business – and this is especially true of bank holiday weekends.”
Under the 1927 Intoxicating Liquor Act, alcohol sales are not allowed in pubs, bars, restaurants or shops on Good Friday.
There are exceptions. Anyone attending certain events or travelling by sea, rail, air or ferry can be sold alcohol. And guests staying in hotels can be served alcohol provided it’s with a meal.