asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism the number of prosecutions instigated under the Casual Trading Act, 1981 since it became operative; and if he has any plans to amend the legislation to enable local authorities such as Dungarvan Urban District Council to control casual trading within their jurisdiction.

I have not had occasion to prosecute any offence under the Casual Trading Act, 1981, and on the basis of the most up-to-date information available to me there have been no prosecutions by a local authority or a member of the Garda Siochána. I am satisfied that the Act gives local authorities such as Dungarvan UDC all the powers needed to control casual trading in their functional areas and I have no plans to amend the Act. However, I strongly urge the various local authorities to take such action under the Act as is necessary to ensure that the objectives of the legislation are achieved in their areas at the earliest possible date.