asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has satisfied himself regarding the functioning of the Casual Trading Act, 1980; if he has any proposals to amend or review this Act; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an urban council on adopting this Act, can designate specific trading areas and that these trading areas are the only areas wherein a person can trade during specific hours but that this has now been found to be defective; and if he intends to have legislation enacted to remedy this defect.
Written Answers. - Casual Trading Legislation.
85.
I am satisfied with the functioning of the Casual Trading Act, 1980, and I have no proposals to amend or review it at present. I am aware of the powers of local authorities under the Act. Indeed, these powers were given to the local authorities because problems relating to casual trading are of their nature, local rather than national. It was considered appropriate, therefore, that local authorities rather than central Government should have the power to regulate trading in their own localities.
I understand that the Deputy's reference to defects involves a court case against Tullamore Urban District Council. As this case is the subject of an appeal to the Supreme Court I cannot comment on it.