Máirín Quill
Ceist:13 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he intends to introduce legislation to regulate Sunday trading. [10977/95]
Written Answers. - Sunday Trading.
Mary O'Rourke
Ceist:50 Mrs. O'Rourke asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment when he will introduce legislation to regulate Sunday trading. [11052/95]
Ivor Callely
Ceist:54 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on the issue of Sunday trading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11056/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13, 50 and 54 together.
A report on the implications of Sunday trading for the retail trade, commissioned by my predecessor last October, was given to the Department of Enterprise and Employment on Monday last. I made the report public on Tuesday evening and its findings have been widely reported. Copies are available from the Department of Enterprise and Employment.
As I told the House during the Adjournment debate on Tuesday evening, I intend to give this report detailed and careful consideration. I am also anxious to hear the views of the public on the Sunday trading issue, arising from the report's publication, before making final decisions in this area.
The report showed that despite major change in the pattern of retailing over the past number of years, there has been an increase in overall employment. There has been a 7 per cent increase in the employment of full-timers, and a 33 per cent increase in the employment of part-time workers in the sector. The report concluded that Sunday trading is likely to result in only a marginal increase in the number of workers employed in the retail sector and these are likely to be predominantly part-timers. There are two issues at the centre of the debate on Sunday trading — the regulation of trading hours, and the protection of vulnerable workers. Retail workers are particularly vulnerable, as many are part-time and casual, and only a quarter are members of a union.
I am preparing legislation which will transpose the EU Directive on Working Time into Irish law. That directive provides for minimum weekly rest breaks for workers which should in principle include a Sunday. Detailed discussions are taking place with the ICTU and with IBEC on how exactly to translate the complex provisions of this Directive into Irish law. In my detailed preparation for this legislation I am particularly conscious of the need to protect vulnerable workers.
The only legislation we have on regulating hours of trading goes back to 1938, and has never been brought into force. Nobody on any side of the debate expects the revival of this 57 year old piece of legislation, in a greatly changed trading environment.
Extended week-day trading hours has become an accepted practice in the retail sector. Sunday opening in the pre-Christmas period is now well established. Outlets such as DIY stores, furniture stores and garden centres open on Sundays, as do smaller convenience stores. Many of these changes have been in response to changing lifestyle and family life patterns, and they are well accepted.
I am aware that there are concerns about seven day opening and unlimited trading, for quality of life. There is a view, and I have a certain sympathy for it, that there should be at least one day in the week which is publicly signalled as a rest day and a day when the family can be together, if they so choose.
Regulating Sunday trading is a complex legal issue. Few people would seek a ban on all Sunday trading, and any partial regulation for example to cover the clothing and grocery sector over a certain square footage raises issues on which I am seeking legal advice.
Any action I propose to take will result from the fullest consideration of all the issues involved.