asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if representations were made to him last year as to the effect on certain businesses in Dun Laoghaire of the operation of Part II of the Shops (Hours of Trading) Act, 1938; if the businesses referred to cater specially for tourists and visitors; if in the circumstances he would consider declaring Dun Laoghaire an exempted area for the purposes of the said Part of the above Act during a defined holiday season either absolutely or conditional on provision being made to have substitute weekly half-holiday periods given to employees.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shops Act—Effect in Dun Laoghaire.
Application for permission to keep open shop on the weekly half-holiday was made by two traders in Dun Laoghaire last year. While the traders in question may be said to cater for tourists and visitors, their business would appear to be mainly that of the newsagent, stationer and tobacconist type. Adequate provision for meeting the requirements of tourists and visitors on the weekly half-holiday has already been made by the exemption of a large number of businesses, including the businesses of selling toys and souvenirs, from the provisions of Part II of the Act. In the circumstances, I do not consider that action on the lines suggested by the Deputy is called for.