Extra bank holiday should be at same time as Thanksgiving – Cannon

The extra bank holiday being considered by the Government to recognise the role of so many during the pandemic should coincide around the same time as Thanksgiving is celebrated in the US, Fine Gael TD Deputy Ciaran Cannon has said.

Thanksgiving will be celebrated on the other side of the Atlantic on Thursday, November 25 next.

Deputy Cannon said the bank holiday being proposed by the Government between now and the end of the year as part of a pandemic bonus could be held within days of the US event as Ireland gives thanks to all who worked and volunteered during the Covid-19 emergency and remember those who sadly passed away over the last 19 months.

“A Thanksgiving bank holiday here in Ireland would represent a powerful gesture of thanks to all those frontline workers who made major sacrifices during the pandemic. It would also be a fitting way to commemorate all of the loved ones we lost,” Deputy Cannon said.

“Creating a new Thanksgiving public holiday and celebrating it on the last Monday in November (Nov 29^th) would also serve to strengthen the links that exist between Ireland and the United States, particularly those thirty five million US citizens who identify as Irish.

“It would also generate new tourism opportunities at a time when our hospitality sector normally experiences a slowdown in business.

“There are no bank holidays between the end of October and Christmas so it is the perfect time. We have much to be thankful for and to remember – let’s do it in the best possible fashion – at the end of November,” Deputy Cannon concluded.