Theresa Ahearn
Question:239 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the proposals, if any, he has to introduce legislation to curb Sunday trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3040/97]
Written Answers. - Sunday Trading.
The Shops (Hours of Trading) Act, 1938 governs the opening hours of retail establishments. The Act provided for a ban on Sunday trading for most shops but gave the Minister power by order to add to the list of exempted businesses, or to exempt specified regions from the provisions of the Act. However, an order made later that year exempted the whole country from the provisions of the Act and effectively removed all restrictions on Sunday trading. This remains the position.
The 1938 Act was enacted for the primary purpose of regulating competition. Therefore any justification for the reintroduction of the legislation to ban even limited types of Sunday trading would have to be based first and foremost on competition considerations. I do not think that such considerations arise at present. The issue of Sunday working is addressed in the Organisation of Working Time Bill, 1996. This Bill will impact to some extent on Sunday trading. The Bill is currently at Committee Stage.