Sir, – Further to the suggestion of a “Thrifty Thursday” and a “Temperance Wednesday” (January 22nd), why not a “Busybody Tuesday” or an “Interfering Monday” as well? That should keep everybody happy. – Yours, etc,
RÓNÁN O’CONNOR,
London.
Sir, ‑ I note that Rev Patrick G Burke (January 26th) is a non-drinker. This would explain why he refers to people “loading up with slabs of beer and crates of wine”. We decadent wine lovers buy cases, not crates, of wine. ‑ Yours, etc,
DON HARTE BARRY,
Cork.
Sir, ‑ A constant theme of those who advocate the secular agenda for our society is that we have all moved on, we have a tolerant society, the church no longer has a controlling influence on us, and we must not be shamed in the sight of other nations for being bigoted and backward. These are among the arguments made for the repeal of legislation banning the sale of alcohol on Good Friday.
I suggest that we should be consistent in our thinking here. The Intoxicating Liquor Act 1927 was introduced at a time when the majority Christian population regarded Good Friday as a day of special religious significance and solemnity. If this is no longer the case, I suggest that the Government introduce legislation to require public offices, banks and other businesses, along with schools and shops, to open in the normal way on Good Friday and simultaneously to repeal the Intoxicating Liquor Act for Good Friday. The repeal for Christmas Day can come later. Our GNP would benefit from an extra day’s production and Good Friday would become just another ordinary day for work and drinking.
In the meantime, we few remaining persecuted Christians would quietly go on observing our Good Friday religious obligations. The changes would not affect us in any way – Yours, etc.
JACK MORRISSEY,
Dublin 16.