Batt O'Keeffe
Ceist:79 Mr. B. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment if he intends to introduce regulations governing Sunday trading. [17576/95]
Written Answers. - Sunday Trading.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:82 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment his views on whether Sunday opening would have a damaging effect on employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1612/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 82 together.
A report on Sunday trading was commissioned by the Department from the Irish Productivity Centre (IPC) and was published in June 1995. The report concluded that the extension of Sunday trading throughout the retail trades would be accompanied by an increase in part-time staff employment and that in the opinion of the IPC, the number of new jobs so created would be small. It would not appear, therefore, that Sunday opening would have a damaging effect on employment.
The issue of Sunday working will be addressed in the context of the Working Time Bill which is at present in preparation by the Minister for Labour Affairs. The proposed Bill will implement the provisions of Council Directive 93/104/EC covering certain aspects of the Organisation of Working Time.
I have no proposals to introduce legislation to limit Sunday trading.