There is no requirement for businesses to close on public holidays, for instance many shops will open but some may operate reduced hours.
The act designated four Bank holidays in Ireland: As Good Friday and Christmas Day were traditional days of rest and Christian worship (as were Sundays), therefore it was felt unnecessary to include them in the act as they were already recognised as common law holidays.
[14] In 2022 only, Friday 18 March was a public holiday, to recognise the efforts of the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.
[3] The power to introduce an additional public holiday is provided for in the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment may introduce a new public holiday by regulation.
To date, three once-off public holidays have been introduced under the Act via Statutory Instrument.