asked the Minister for Finance, if he is aware that traders sell a variety of imported goods, e.g. watches, colour television sets, transistors and radios at cattle marts and on the side of public roads; and if such traders hold import licences.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Outdoor Trading.
16.
I am informed that sales of the kind mentioned by the Deputy have been taking place. It is necessary for persons making such sales to hold hawkers' licences unless they usually reside or carry on business in the locality in which the sales occur.
It is not necessary to hold a licence to import goods of the kind instanced; the importer must, however, pay any import duties chargeable. There have in recent months been many seizures by the customs and the Garda of watches, radios, television sets and other articles suspected of having been irregularly imported.
Would the Minister undertake to look at this matter not in the sense of licences? He should refer this to his colleague, the Minister for Justice. In many cases traffic hazards are created by motorists stopping in large numbers. Whether or not better bargains are available the fact is that there has been at least one death in one part of the country and at the inquest afterwards it was reported that it arose as a result of this concentration of traffic around one of these roadside stalls?
I am aware that this is a hazard. I think the Deputy may take it that the Garda and the Minister for Justice are also aware of this and such action as is open to them in that regard will be taken.