The power of the Garda Síochána to interfere in this instance has been withdrawn completely from the Garda under this section — is that correct?
Night Work (Bakeries) (Amendment) Bill, 1981: Committee and Final Stages.
Sections 1 to 3, inclusive, agreed to.
SECTION 4.
Question proposed: "That section 4 stand part of the Bill."
Yes.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 5 and 6 agreed to.
Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass".
I am not a baker so excuse my seeking information on this point. The Minister, in reply to my question as to the need for a night time ban under the 1936 Act, referred to matters such as hygiene and better conditions now operating. If so, why is there a night time ban still being operated under this Act whereby a baker has to seek a licence to do night time baking, with certain conditions attached by the Minister? Why can there not be open forum, as it were, for every baker to bake at night if he so wishes?
The employers felt that there should be greater flexibility in the operation enabling them to supply fresh bread to meet consumer demand and to offset the decline in bread consumption. Also we have the situation where in certain circumstances there can be very serious unemployment in this business at present.
Question put and agreed to.