asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether, notwithstanding any previous inquiry, he will now cause a local inquiry to be held pursuant to his powers under the Street Trading Act, 1926, for the purpose of reviewing the bye-laws made by the Commissioners of the County Borough of Dublin, which prohibit absolutely stall trading in certain streets formerly and customarily used for such stall trading for upwards of 30 years, in the said County Borough of Dublin, and to have the views of the street traders and any interested parties adequately heard, and their case for the alteration and repeal of the existing bye-laws properly presented.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - STREET TRADING BYE-LAWS.
The Minister for Local Government and Public Health has no power to alter or rescind bye-laws made by local authorities and duly confirmed by him. The question of holding an inquiry for that purpose does not therefore arise. I would refer the Deputy to the replies given on the 16th February and 31st March, 1927, on this subject.
In view of the fact that these people's means of living are practically threatened, and that they failed to attend the first inquiry, because the opportunity was allowed to slip, simply because no one realised the seriousness of it, would the Minister not consider the advisability of having an inquiry?