Skip to main content
Normal View

Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 6 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 5

Written Answers - Sunday Trading.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

46 Mr. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will set a date for the referendum to amend the Constitution in relation to the regulation of Sunday trading as pledged by the Minister of State at her Department at a meeting at which Deputy Broughan attended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18348/97]

In the course of the debate earlier this year on the Organisation of Working Time Bill it was indicated on behalf of the then Government that legislation which sought to distinguish between shops on the basis of size for the purpose of banning or regulating the hours of Sunday trading would be open to constitutional challenge on the grounds of invidious discrimination, irrationality or lack of proportionality. In this context, the question of the possibility of a referendum being held on the issue was raised in some quarters.

I understand from the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, that, while he was involved in numerous meetings — discussions with the MANDATE trade union over a long period on this issue, his party's approach to the matter was as set out in his letter of 21 May 1997 to the General Secretary of MANDATE, in response to a specific request addressed to all parties by MANDATE prior to the general election, which stated that:—

If re-elected to Government, we will undertake a consultative process with all the interested parties (owners, managers of retail outlets, both large and small, unions, consumers) with a view to regulating Sunday trading hours through consensus and agreement.

As indicated in my reply to a priority question earlier, the Minister of State, Deputy Kitt, has, since taking up office met with representatives of both ICTU and IBEC to review the position of Sunday working in the retail sector. Following such meetings he invited both parties to open discussions with a view to exploring the possibility of an agreement addressing the issue being entered into between employer and employee representatives of the main players in the sector. The reaction of the social partners to this initiative is at present awaited.

Top
Share