asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether the businesses specified in Part I of the Third Schedule of the Shops (Hours of Trading) Act, 1938, are still exempted businesses not liable to the restrictions on trading imposed by that Act; and, if not, which of them, and if he will further state the date on which such businesses ceased to be exempted businesses in the town of Youghal.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Hours of Trading in Cobh and Youghal.
The following changes were made, by Order, in the list of businesses specified in Part I of the Third Schedule to the Shops (Hours of Trading) Act, 1938:—
(1) An Order dated 25th October, 1947, deleted the business of selling newspapers, periodicals, books, magazines or stationery and the business of selling tobacco or smokers' requisites.
(2) An Order dated 25th October, 1947, added the business of selling at a shop fish and chips for consumption off the premises in any case where the sale of fish and chips is the main or only business carried on at the shop.
(3) An Order dated 13th April, 1948, added the business of selling by retail goods from automatic vending machines.
The provisions of Section 24 still apply to this list of businesses as so modified.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will make a ministerial Order exempting a number of shops in Cobh and Youghal from having to comply with the section of the Shops (Hours of Trading) Act, 1938, which requires early closing.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether, having regard to the importance of the tourist trade to the town of Youghal, in accordance with the powers given to him under Section 22, Shops (Hours of Trading) Act, 1938, he will declare the business of selling confectionery and other businesses usually carried on therewith to be exempted businesses for the purpose of the Act.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will take steps to exempt shopkeepers in Cobh and Youghal from having to observe the regulation of early closing.
I propose, with the consent of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 13, 14 and 15 together.
I propose making immediately a temporary suspensory Order changing the latest closing hour to 11 p.m. in those areas where the existing closing hour seems to have acted most harshly. The Order will remain in force for the rest of the summer season. In the meantime I intend to review the merits of the existing general closing Order.