I move amendment No. 48 :—
Before sub-section (2) to insert the following sub-sections :—
(2) Where, as respects any basement bakehouse, the Minister is satisfied—
(a) that it was in use as a bakehouse on the 7th day of July, 1954, and
(b) that it is suitable for use as a bakehouse as regards construction, height, light, ventilation, hygiene and means of escape in case of fire,
the Minister may by certificate, exempt such bakehouse from sub-section (1) of this section.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, a certificate issued under sub-section (2) of this section shall be for a specified period not exceeding five years, but such certificate may be renewed.
This matter, I think, was raised on the Second Reading of the Bill and has been the subject of representations. These representations have been made to the effect that the section, as drafted, would have the effect of closing down the main bakehouses of two large bakery premises, Jacob's, of Dublin, and Thompson's, of Cork. Both these premises, which have been inspected, are regarded as suitable for use as bakehouses from the standpoint of construction, lights, heat, ventilation, but, by reason of the contour of the surrounding ground on some sides of the building, they might come within the definition of a basement bakehouse in sub-section (2). A satisfactory amendment of the definition could not be devised which would exclude these premises but would ensure that genuinely underground premises of an unwholesome nature would still be included. I thought it best, therefore, to take power to exempt premises such as the kind I have in mind from the operation of Section 64 where I am satisfied that the bakehouse is completely satisfactory in every way. There is a safeguard that the certificate of exemption calls for renewal at intervals which may not exceed five years.
