Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 5

Written Answers - Casual Trading.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

52 Mr. Bell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the Casual Trading Act will come into force in relation to the town of Drogheda, County Louth with particular reference to the Drogheda market. [16619/97]

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

Casual trading is governed by the Casual Trading Act, 1995, which devolved the powers of regulation and licensing of casual trading from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to local authorities. The Act became effective from 1 May 1996.

Section 6 provides general powers and flexibility to each local authority to make by-laws in relation to the control, regulation, supervision and administration of casual trading within its own functional area.

While the introduction of casual trading by-laws is, therefore, a reserved function for each local authority, I would be disappointed if any unavoidable delays arise in that regard.