Call to relax licensing laws for World Cup

Fine Gael Senator Therese Ridge has today called on the government to relax the country's licensing laws for the World Cup finals.

She said that the whole country would be watching Ireland's opening match against Cameroon at 7.30 a.m. on June 1 and that people should be allowed to do so with a pint in their hands if they wished.

"As with previous World Cups, people will want to get together in local pubs to see the matches as a group and enjoy the big screen atmosphere. I am calling on the Government to introduce a simple bill which will allow for the special opening of pubs during early morning Ireland games," she said.

Ms Ridge said that existing legislation only allows for the opening of pubs at any time for the service of food. "But a parliamentary bill making a special amendment for both June 1 and any other potential dates for later-stage matches could easily allow pubs to open for a few hours around match times," she said.

The Fine Gael Senator said that special occasions call for special arrangements. "I am calling on the Government to make this exception for the army of Irish fans who will be watching the boys in green at home."

One country publican dismissed the idea as a "Fine Gael publicity stunt" though.

The Co Limerick bar owner told ireland.comthat he would not be opening at 7.30 a.m. on June 1 even if the law were changed in the meantime. "I will be watching the game myself, but I don't want to open the pub for it. We're not hungry for money.

"There are pubs in Limerick city which have licenses to open at that time all year round anyway, and I’m sure they will be packed on the day, but most ordinary license holders will not want to open at that time," he said.