Released on: January 17, 2008, 3:28 am

Press Release Author: Mark Dunphy/Dunphy PR

Industry:

Press Release Summary: County Clare, 17th January 2008 - Members of the public are
being reminded that they have just two weeks to forward submissions relating to a
range of draft measures aimed at regulating casual trading in Clare.


Press Release Body: Clare County Council's Casual Trading Draft Bylaws were removed
from public display today having been viewed by hundreds of people since late
November.

The revised bylaws 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.

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 bylaws propose 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 bylaws also suggest the introduction of additional management
measures, including regulating the heights of stalls, hours of operation and
updating of fee structures.

According to Mr. Ger Dollard, Director of Services, Clare County Council, "Existing
Casual Trading Bylaws, 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 bylaws will allow a greater level of control over casual trading
activity to the benefit of traders and the general public".

Mr. Dollard explained that Clare County Council has, for some time, been aware of
significant difficulties being experienced with casual trading in the county.

"These draft bylaws are not designed to remove traders from their current locations.
They simply form part of a process, whereby systems governing casual trading
activity are continually reviewed and regulated", he continued.

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 bylaws under
the Casual Trading Act 1995.

Mr. James Barry, Senior Staff Officer, Ennistymon Area Office, Clare County Council
added, "The 1998 Casual Trading Bylaws 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 Bylaws have now been prepared."

Written comments should be forwarded to Senior Staff Officer, Ennistymon Area
Office, Ennis Road, Ennistymon. Submissions received before 4pm on 1st February
2008 will be taken into consideration.

The Act also provides that any person who is aggrieved by any proposed bylaws may,
within 21 days from publication of the notice, appeal to the District Court against
the proposed bylaws. The decision of the District Court may also be appealed to the
Circuit Court.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
Mr. Ger Dollard (087-2240601) and Mr. James Barry (086-8320560) are available for
interview and further comment.
For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on
086-8534900 or media@dunphypr.com


Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-(0)868534900 (Mobile)
00353-(0)656839692 (Fax)

Web Site: http://www.dunphypr.com

Contact Details: Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media@dunphypr.com
00353-(0)868534900 (Mobile)
00353-(0)656839692 (Fax)