asked the Minister for Labour if he has had any complaints in recent months regarding unfair competition in the bakery trade due to alleged breaches of the Night Work (Bakeries) Act, 1936; and, if so, the action he intends to take to ensure that the Act is enforced.
Written Answers. - Night Work (Bakeries) Act.
270.
Complaints have been made by employers in the bakery industry that sales of bread baked illegally at night are causing a decline in sales by bakers who comply with the Act. The bakers complain that the unfair competition is posing a threat to their employees' jobs. In border areas in particular bakers are at a disadvantage with competitors in Northern Ireland, who do not operate under similar restrictions.
I have given serious consideration to the problem and am of the view that the law should be modified to permit night baking under licence. I propose to introduce a Bill shortly to amend the Night Work (Bakeries) Act, 1936, so as to enable the licensing of baking at night.