asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he has received representations from certain small traders in Wexford asking that he should vary the Emergency Powers Order which compels them to close their premises at 8 o'clock in the evening; if he is aware of the severe hardships inflicted on these traders by reason of the application of this drastic Order, and if he is prepared to consider its cancellation or variation.

I have received the representations referred to by the Deputy. In view of the necessity for conserving the use of fuel and light it is not at present possible to consider the amendment of the Emergency Powers (Early Closing of Shops) Order, 1942.

Will the Minister be prepared to vary the Order to such an extent that the shops will be closed between 5 and 7 in the coming months —they will have lights lighting during that period, probably—and permit them to open for two hours after 8?

I do not think that that suggestion is practicable and I am quite certain it would not secure the consent of either the majority of the shopkeepers or the majority of shop employees.

Would the Minister say if suppliers of tea by way of refreshment are permitted to remain open.

Supplying meals?

Teas. Would the Minister not think that milk, bovril, sandwiches and things of that kind would be in the same category as teas?

There have been some legal decisions upon that question as a result of which I have decided that an ice cream was not a meal.

I am not asking the Minister to decide that.

I think the firms on whose behalf the Deputy made representations were mainly concerned with the sale of ice cream.

I am not making representations on behalf of any particular firms. Is the Minister aware that if this attitude is persisted in, it will be responsible for putting a lot of these people out of business altogether?

I do not think so.