Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 April 2007
15 Mr. Gogarty asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will introduce legislation to amend planning laws here to allow local authorities decision making powers on the location of sex shops and lap dancing clubs in order to not allow such businesses to operate close to schools and in residential areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13389/07]
View answerThe issues of adult entertainment and the regulation of associated venues require consideration because of the recent growth of this sector. Given the relevance of a number of different statutory codes to this matter, it is not clear that planning regulation alone can adequately support a local control regime with regard to these activities, and the interaction of these various codes needs to be examined to ensure we take the best possible approach.
To that end, in January this year I wrote to the Tánaiste proposing the establishment of a task force to examine the regulatory context around the siting and location of adult entertainment venues. The first meeting of that group will be taking place shortly. When the task force completes its work, we will have a clearer picture of the issues involved, their interaction and the possible way forward.
In advance of any new proposals, local authorities should use the powers currently available to them under the planning code, such as the development plan process, to ensure that new late night entertainment venues are not inappropriately located, for example in quiet residential areas.
