Vintners optimistic that Minister will allow pubs to open on Good Friday

The two groups which represent vintners say they have held a "very positive" meeting with the Justice Minister today on the issue of opening on Good Friday.

The Licensed Vintners Association and the Vintners Federation of Ireland told Frances Fitzgerald that tourists are "baffled and disappointed" to find Ireland's pubs are closed on Good Friday.

They have pressed the case to be allowed to open on the Friday before Easter and say its particularly important this year because Leinster are due to play Bath at home in Dublin that weekend, and will be even more of an issue during next year's Easter Rising commemorations.

"We had a positive meeting," said Donal O'Keefe of the Licensed Vintners Association.

"She is to consider the matter with officials and will be making a decision in the next week or two, and we're hopeful that she will be able to permit Good Friday trading.

"We believe it can be done in time for Easter 2015 and we're hopeful that the Minister will see her way through to doing that."