New Casual Trading Bye-Laws To Be Introduced In County Clare

From: Dunphy Public Relations/Clare Local Authorities
Published: Wed Jun 11 2008


Clare County Council's Casual Trading Bye-Laws include the formal designation of trading areas at named locations within the county, the introduction of licensing for event trading, and additional management guidelines for traders and how they operate.

The decision to approve the draft regulations was made at last evening’s June Monthly Meeting of Clare County Council

According to Mr. Ger Dollard, Director of Services, Clare County Council, "Existing Casual Trading Bye-Laws, introduced by the Local Authority in 1998, are insufficient to deal with the issues that arise in relation to casual trading, in the present day. The revised bye-laws will now enable the Council to impose a greater level of control over casual trading activity. This will benefit traders and the general public."

Mr. Dollard explained that Clare County Council had long been aware of significant difficulties being experienced with casual trading in the county.

"The revised bye-laws which will come into effect from 11th July 2008 provide for a better managed system for casual trading in the interests of traders, general public and adjacent businesses. We have made significant changes to byelaws during the public consultation phase and are satisfied that the final proposals represent a workable and positive approach to properly regulating this activity", he commented.

The 1995 Casual Trading Act transferred the responsibility for issuing Casual Trading licenses from the Department of the Environment & Local Government to the individual local authorities. In 1998, Clare County Council adopted bye-laws under the Casual Trading Act 1995.

Mr. James Barry, Senior Staff Officer, Ennistymon Area Office, Clare County Council added, "The 1998 Casual Trading Bye-Laws did not formally designate areas for trading throughout the County but permitted such trading on a general basis at any location in the County. Following extensive discussions and consultation, at area committee level, draft bye-laws were prepared in 2007. We would like to thank members of the public and elected representatives for their input in relation to the final set of bye-laws."

The revised bye-laws include the formal designation of casual trading areas in Ennistymon, Doolin Pier, Kildysart, Kilfenora, Killaloe, Kilkee, Miltown Malbay, Shannon and Tulla. The effect of designation is that any trading outside of the designated areas, on public property, is prohibited. The areas designated for each location are set out on individual maps attached to the bye-laws.

Separate Event Trading licences will be required by traders wishing to trade at festivals, fairs and significant events in towns and villages throughout Clare. Events include the Willie Clancy Festival in Miltown Malbay each July, the Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival each September, the Rose of Clare Festival at Cooraclare and the Feakle festival. The new provisions for event licences come into effect on 1st October 2008.

The bye-laws stipulate that the Local Authority, in conjunction with local Gardaí and local representatives will agree on the number of licences and category of goods that will cater for the needs of such events and pitches/bays will be allocated to successful applicants.

Meanwhile, the draft bye-laws also feature additional management measures, including regulating the heights of stalls, hours of operation and updating of fee structures.

Clare County Council's Casual Trading Bye-Laws may be viewed at the offices of the Environment Section, Clare County Council, New Road, Ennis; the Ennistymon Area Office, Ennis Road, Ennistymon; the Town Hall, Kilrush; the Town Hall, Shannon; the Scariff Area Office, Mountshannon Road, Scariff; and the Westbury Centre, Knockballynameath, County Clare.

The bye-laws may also be accessed via the Council's web site at www.clarecoco.ie

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com

Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
www.dunphypr.com
00353-868534900 (mobile)
00353-656839692 (fax)
Company: Dunphy Public Relations/Clare Local Authorities
Contact Name: Dunphy Public Relations
Contact Email: media@dunphypr.com
Contact Phone: 00353868534900

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