The Restaurant Association of Ireland says it is time for the ban on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday to be lifted.

Under the Intoxicating Liquor Act, bars and restaurants will not be allowed serve alcoholic beverages today.

In 2009, a Galway District Judge said prosecuting restaurants that offered wine with meals on Good Friday was "ludicrous".

And Adrian Cummins, Chief Executive of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, says it is damaging for the tourism industry: "This is an archaic law dating back to the 19th century and as a progressive society and one that is trying to promote tourism, this has to be overturned.

"We need to have a more progressive law."