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Child Item

Good Friday could soon be Great Friday

Sabre0001

The Seanad has passed a bill, which could see alcohol sold on Good Friday. Finally, we could see an end to the annual whinge

It'll go to the Dáil and be debated after the summer break. Some amusing quotes from Independent senator Billy Lawless, quoted on Irish Examiner. He said, "Removing this 90 year old law from our statute books sends another clear message that Ireland is a pluralist, global and forward thinking country." Is it really an example of forward thinking to remove an ancient law?

He also says, "Currently an 18 year old with €10 can buy 10 cans of beer on Holy Thursday to keep for the next day but cannot walk into a pub to meet friends where he might buy two or three pints for the same money." So is that the real reason behind the bill - get people into the pubs and spending more!

Irish Examiner

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Spanish Eyes

I'm confused here.

I always thought legislation was initiated by the Dail and rubber stamped by the Seanad.

Why is it the other way round with Bill? Did the Seanad initiate it or what. Scratches head.

Maybe the Seanad want amendments that have to be further debated by the Dail.

Someone will tell me I am sure!

seamus

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Good Friday will turn into Just Another Friday. Good Friday is one of the best drinking days of the year. People will miss it when it is gone.

That's the thing. Our drinking habits are massively influenced by when we can't it. If we liberalised our drinking laws, alcohol abuse and social disorder would probably go way down. Instead of ordering 2 pints when the guy flashes the lights, you'd just head off to another pub and have one before going home.

KungPao wrote: »

Who wants to go to a boozer on Christmas day though? Dot Cotton and Phil Mitchell spring to mind, but real people like to eat too much, and drink all day at home, and finish up by watching Clark Griswold's capers before heading to bed. Maybe a little party.

You see, just because you wouldn't go to the pub, doesn't mean nobody would.

I generally don't see the issue with allowing pubs open on Xmas day - very few still would, except maybe a couple in the city centres.

seamus

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

I'm confused here.

I always thought legislation was initiated by the Dail and rubber stamped by the Seanad.

Why is it the other way round with Bill? Did the Seanad initiate it or what. Scratches head.

Maybe the Seanad want amendments that have to be further debated by the Dail.

Someone will tell me I am sure!

It can go either way for some bills.

Bills initiated in the Dail get approved by the Dail and then go to the Seanad, who propose changes to it. The Dail can then accept or reject the proposals and can send it back to the Seanad.

Bills can also start in the Seanad and send to the Dail. And then it comes back again when the Dail have modified it.

SEPT 23 1989

KungPao wrote: »

Who wants to go to a boozer on Christmas day though? Dot Cotton and Phil Mitchell spring to mind, but real people like to eat too much, and drink all day at home, and finish up by watching Clark Griswold's capers before heading to bed. Maybe a little party.

The pub would be the last thing on my mind.

It would be handy for people who might be spending Christmas alone

ThisRegard

Richard Hillman wrote: »

Good Friday will turn into Just Another Friday. Good Friday is one of the best drinking days of the year. People will miss it when it is gone.

They're not removing a day from the calendar year, it'll still be there.

Pherekydes

Erik Shin wrote: »

#GettingLashedForJesus
#SeshOnTheCross

Couldn't care less to be honest, but it's one of the few days pub staff get off....for that reason alone I'd let it be.... think we'll survive until Saturday wont we?

My brother's a barman and he gets two days off every week.

Fridays are a big money spinner generally, and the Friday of a long weekend is even bigger. Easter is one of the biggest long weekends in the year. Win-win for everyone except the Holy Joes.

Spanish Eyes

The Hen and Stag/tourist groups will not be bewildered on Good Friday anymore.

But the rest of us might!

DEFTLEFTHAND

KungPao wrote: »

Who wants to go to a boozer on Christmas day though? Dot Cotton and Phil Mitchell spring to mind, but real people like to eat too much, and drink all day at home, and finish up by watching Clark Griswold's capers before heading to bed. Maybe a little party.

The pub would be the last thing on my mind.

Lads go in the sidedoor in my local for xmas day.

Tbh I think they're really sad bastards. Either no families or can't go one day without propping up a barstool.

If only they'd put the same effort into seeking gainful employment as they do into their drinking

Spanish Eyes

There will be a lot of sadness around now, since the GF parties are no longer required.

No mad Qs in the off license/supermarket the night before either.

All is calm and evened out.

The offies etc. are not being accommodated here. Get the picture. The Health ninjas don't like them, they only like the publicans.

cyrils foxpit

SEPT 23 1989 wrote: »

It would be handy for people who might be spending Christmas alone

yeah I know a family in the UK who go down the local for the Xmas dinner annually, couple pints and home to watch watch the tv then...it wont be for everyone but it would suit some people. They actually have more time together (not with mammy spending 12 hours in the kitchen etc)

wnolan1992

Pherekydes wrote: »

My brother's a barman and he gets two days off every week.

Fridays are a big money spinner generally, and the Friday of a long weekend is even bigger. Easter is one of the biggest long weekends in the year. Win-win for everyone except the Holy Joes.

That's bollox.

Everyone knows bar staff only get two days off a year. That's been one of the defining arguments against keeping the ban on alcohol sales! Are you trying to say people have been... talking utter sh*te?

ThisRegard

cyrils foxpit wrote: »

yeah I know a family in the UK who go down the local for the Xmas dinner annually, couple pints and home to watch watch the tv then...it wont be for everyone but it would suit some people. They actually have more time together (not with mammy spending 12 hours in the kitchen etc)

A lot do it in the UK, it's not that unusual.

AlanG

If this passes it wont be long until everyone has to work on Good Friday - it is not a public holiday so it i only tradition that makes it a day off for so many people.

Be careful what you wish for!!!

Spanish Eyes

AlanG wrote: »

If this passes it wont be long until everyone has to work on Good Friday - it is not a public holiday so it i only tradition that makes it a day off for so many people.

Be careful what you wish for!!!

Part of the master plan alright.

For those who get up early according to Vlad.:eek:

Stigura

" Blown up?! Eric's been blown up! "

Grand :cool:

Spanish Eyes

cyrils foxpit wrote: »

yeah I know a family in the UK who go down the local for the Xmas dinner annually, couple pints and home to watch watch the tv then...it wont be for everyone but it would suit some people. They actually have more time together (not with mammy spending 12 hours in the kitchen etc)

A hotel near us will plate up Christmas Dinners the night before, chill them and either deliver them to you, or you pick them up Christmas Eve.

Obviously you reheat in the tray next day. They have pics and it looks great.

I haven't availed of the service yet, but it sounds ACE, if there is just one or two of you. No washing up. Yay.

Erik Shin

Jayop wrote: »

Or one of the nights that part time staff have off when they could be working and earning a few valuable quid?? Most bar workers are paid by the hour so it's not like they were getting an extra day off paid for it.

Quick poll of everyone who word/worked in a bar
Work GF
Or
Off GF.

I'd still take the day off after all these years

Muahahaha

I wouldnt go getting too excited for this bill. From what I saw of it a few weeks back it said that alcohol will be pemitted to be sold by holders of on-licenses only. That would mean that pubs can open Good Friday but that off-licenses still wont allowed be open that day. Pubs will not be allowed to sell cans to take away, only drinking on the premises will be permitted.

It is essentially a bill for publicans by publicans. The publicans are looking for a monopoly on Good Friday alcohol sales by excluding the off-license owners. So you will still have to stock up on Holy Thursday if you want to drink at home.

wnolan1992

Erik Shin wrote: »

Quick poll of everyone who word/worked in a bar
Work GF
Or
Off GF.

I'd still take the day off after all these years

Quick poll of everyone who works or has worked:

Work tomorrow
OR
Off tomorrow

I'd still take the day off after all these years.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I think it's a shame they done this. I guess the whingers and criers will be looking for pubs to open on Christmas Day now that they haven't got good Friday to moan about.

I think it's sad and pathetic that the politicians have yet again pandered to a minority group.

wnolan1992

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I think it's a shame they done this. I guess the whingers and criers will be looking for pubs to open on Christmas Day now that they haven't got good Friday to moan about.

I think it's sad and pathetic that the politicians have yet again pandered to a minority group.

Why would politicians pander to the minority?

Surely if the majority want the ban to remain, there's more votes in keeping it than scrapping it?

Or does the majority not give a toss either way really, and this was done to put the stupid, repetitive argument to bed once and for all?

yabadabado

Great news and not before time.

votecounts

it will be interesting to see how many people go to the pub on the friday when they have moaning about it for years. didn't realise off licences won't be open

Cee-Jay-Cee

wnolan1992 wrote: »

Why would politicians pander to the minority?

Surely if the majority want the ban to remain, there's more votes in keeping it than scrapping it?

Or does the majority not give a toss either way really, and this was done to put the stupid, repetitive argument to bed once and for all?

Because that's what they have always done. Minorities whinge and cry about being discriminated against and generally get their way. This is just another example.

There was never any vote on this, just a bunch of arseholes who cried every year that they couldn't buy alcohol on good Friday and they have now got their wish. It would suit the government better to do something about the endless social and health issues this country has rather than adding to them by letting sad pathetic gobshítes have another day they can drink in pubs.

osarusan

On principle that religion should have no influence on the state, I'm pleased, but it's down the list of priorities for me.

wnolan1992

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

Because that's what they have always done. Minorities whinge and cry about being discriminated against and generally get their way. This is just another example.

There was never any vote on this, just a bunch of arseholes who cried every year that they couldn't buy alcohol on good Friday and they have now got their wish. It would suit the government better to do something about the endless social and health issues this country has rather than adding to them by letting sad pathetic gobshítes have another day they can drink in pubs.

So what would you suggest?

Maybe if this extra day's debauchery is going to exasperate the problems so much, we should consider adding more days instead? Sundays maybe? No, wait, Sunday is bad, because this is totally not about religion, so maybe Tuesdays?

Grandeeod

Wheety wrote: »

Why didn't they include Christmas Day in the bill too? Talking about Ireland being a forward thinking country? Pubs are closed on Christmas Day for the same reasons they closed Good Friday.

Not really. The non religious lot like the ould Christmas Day off, because it was apparently based on a pagan festival anyway, so that makes Christmas a full on blow out event for all. Unless you actually have to get up for work on the 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st and 1st.

Mint Sauce

Would much rather the pubs were open Xmas morning tbh. Nothing like getting a few pints into ya, before laying into the dinner, then falling into the sofa.

Grandeeod

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Would much rather the pubs were open Xmas morning tbh. Nothing like getting a few pints into ya, before laying into the dinner, then falling into the sofa.

That will be a lot slower to arrive. While its technically religious, it suits the non religious too. But its on its way.

murpho999

Erik Shin wrote: »

#GettingLashedForJesus
#SeshOnTheCross

Couldn't care less to be honest, but it's one of the few days pub staff get off....for that reason alone I'd let it be.... think we'll survive until Saturday wont we?

Where does this silly idea come from that bar staff work 363 days a year?

It's great that this dated and antiquated forced closure is being done away with.

Should expand further and I should be allowed by alcohol when shopping before 10.30 or 12.30 on a Sunday.