It looks like this will be Ireland's last 'dry' Good Friday. It is expected the law will be changed before next year, meaning alcohol can be sold.
Many pub and restaurant owners have long called for a ban on them serving alcohol on Good Friday to be lifted, but now it looks likely to happen some groups are voicing criticism.
It is understood the Justice Minister will not oppose a bill, calling for the restriction to be abolished, which is due to come before the Dáil later this year.
Senator David Norris believes the 90 year-old ban should stay. "When we have 363 days of drinking all over the place, and in a country that has a very, very, serious drinking problem, I think the last thing that we need is another day of drinking", he said.
During recent calls for the ban to be lifted, the Restaurants Association of Ireland pointed out that you can get a drink "within feet of the Vatican" on Good Friday.
Chief Executive Adrian Cummins called the ban "unacceptable and outdated" and warned that it is damaging the tourism, restaurant and hospitality industries.
Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald is expected not to oppose a Bill in the Seanad calling for the restriction to be abolished. The change is likely to come into effect for Good Friday 2018.
It's expected that the Government will incorporate the proposals of the Bill, tabled by a group of Independent Senators, into the Government's Sale of Alcohol Bill which aims to reform the sale, supply and consumption of alcohol.
