There are signs that Ireland’s pubs may be set for a historic opening on Good Friday.

The two groups which represent vintners say they have held a 'very positive' meeting on the issue yesterday with the Justice Minister.

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've pressed the case to be allowed to open on the Friday before Easter and say it’s 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 years Easter rising commemorations.

Padraig Cribben, CEO of the Vintners Federation of Ireland and Fr Pat Seaver, campaigner on the links between alcohol and suicide, joined Newstalk Breakfast this morning to debate the issue.

Mr Cribben raised concerns that pubs would be closed on Good Friday next year for the Easter Rising commemorations while Fr Pat Seaver stated that Good Friday is a day where we recognise Christ's death and the establishments should remain closed.