Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 March 2018
392. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the measures she will take to regulate car boot sales; the licensing of traders at such sales; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12287/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no specific legislation under my area of responsibility which specifically refers to car boot sales. However, depending on the actual format and nature of such sales, they may come under two existing pieces of legislation.
Under the Casual Trading Act 1995, “casual trading” means selling goods at a place (including a public road) to which the public have access as of right or at any other place that is a casual trading area. The actual designation of casual trading areas and the issuing of such licences is statutorily devolved to the relevant local authorities for their relevant areas of jurisdiction. Thus, I, as Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, have no direct function in these matters.
Under the Occasional Trading Act 1997, "occasional trading" means selling goods by retail at a premises or place (not being a public place) of which the person so selling has been in occupation for a continuous period of less than three months ending on the date of such selling. Permits to engage in such occasional trading are issued by my Department on application in advance for a fee. Car boot sales are unlikely to come under such legislation.
