The Minister for Justice is being asked to lift the ban on the sale of alcohol on Good Friday.

The Restaurants Association of Ireland says it will cost its sector €25 million this year.

The group says it is an "archaic ban" which gives an old-fashioned, '19th-Century' image of the country.

RAI Chief Executive Adrian Cummins says the Government must change the law which prevents alcohol sales on Good Friday.

“This law affects more than just the diners who want a drink, it affects thousands of restaurant employees on a busy weekend when restaurants simply won’t open," according to Mr Cummins.

"It is unacceptable to have this archaic ban in place on religious grounds, especially in the multi-cultural and multi-religious society that Ireland has become," he adds.

He is calling on the Cabinet to fast-track legislation to lift the ban ahead of what he says "is going to be a very significant Easter weekend for Ireland" this year, with thousands of tourists expected for the Easter Rising commemorations:

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said earlier this week that he will not oppose legislation allowing the selling of alcohol on Good Friday.