The absence of Sabbatarianism in this debate is striking and possibly suspicious to anyone over the age of 40. All the parties opposed to extension have criticised this legal wheeze but none has suggested closing the loophole at Stormont, where the legislation falls under a DUP minister. As the DUP has toned down its confessional politics, other parties feel freer to discuss Christian concerns. Sinn Féin, the SDLP and the Greens stuck to secular arguments during the Sunday opening debate a decade ago, when all three were opposed. Parties are losing their fear of being associated with DUP religious fundamentalism when they speak up for Christian interests.

Source: The Irish Times March 26, 2026 15:01 UTC