The age old debate on whether or not alcohol should be sold on Good Friday seems to be put to bed for another year after the Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald announced that the ban would not be lifted anytime soon.
Speaking over the weekend Ms Fitzgerald claimed overturning the ban would be political own goal given the current campaign to highlight drink awareness.
Although she did initially agree to review the current ban Ms Fitzgerald said any change would be hypocritical as such a ruling would be “interpreted and portrayed as a lowering of the (Government’s) commitment” to tackling the serious health problem of alcohol abuse.”
She also said: “The government needs to avoid…diluting its key message.”
The news is likely to come as blow to vintners and publicans alike as they hoped their recent campaign would prove successful this time around. The recent announcement now all but confirms the 90 year olds ban will remain in place despite public outcry in recent years.