The ban on Palestine Action, the first under the Terrorism Act for a direct action group, was justified by Yvette Cooper as a response to a history of unacceptable criminal damage and a threat to national security.
The extra bank holiday was billed as a way to celebrate the men's national side reaching the tournament for the first time in almost 30 years. However, the holiday has not been universally adopted by employers.
"This weekend is about energy," declared Belfast North MP John Finucane, his delivery so wooden that a mid-priced Ikea shelf would be proud.
