Call time on Good Friday pub closing?

9th March, 2010, Order of Business (Edited version): I welcome a debate about the closure of pubs on Good Friday, especially in light of a recent speech by the Minister of State, Deputy Martin Mansergh, in which he reflected on the type of model Ireland should adopt in its search for pluralism.

He suggested there were alternatives to the post 1789 model of separation of Church and State including arrangements that are more inclusive and respectful of different traditions while at the same time acknowledging the proper distinctions between Church and State. I would shed no particular tears if there was a change in this law, yet I wonder whether we would lose something, particularly considering how Ash Wednesday is very successfully used by religious and non-religious alike to encourage people to give up smoking.

Perhaps something good can be achieved by drawing on the tradition of Good Friday. I know people with no particular religious faith who, for example, sometimes give up something for Lent in solidarity with a sick relative or for some other reason.

We should not re-fight the culture wars over this issue. We should have a debate, but we should also be mindful of the value of traditions and their potential to contribute to the quality of people' lives.