Council come out strongly against Sunday trading

The authority wants to prohibit Sunday trading by retail stores other than conveniences stores, licenses premises, and garden centres.

They are also seeking to have all major retail store shut down on all Bank holidays and December 27th each year.

Mr. Frank Durcan, who submitted a motion on the matter, said Sunday trading was having a devastating effect on the community, both from a social and economical point of view.

It was destroying the tradition of Sunday being observed as a day of rest and a day for the family.

"Anything that interferes with family life must be opposed. Nobody should be programmed or intimidated to work seven days a week.

"I know there are demands placed on employees in this town to work until three and four o'clock in the morning. And if they don't do it, they are told to find another job.

"I am abhorred at what is happening locally. Some of these major stores are trading on casual labour, paying poor rates of pay.

"I understand that in one particular store, a member of staff has not been made permanent since 1989. No small shop or firm would get away with that.

"The big chains are ruthless in dealing with staff. They have also put numerous small shops in Castlebar out of existence.

"If Sunday trading is allowed to continue, many more of our corner shops will close. This would be a tragedy for the town."

Mr. Durcan said he did not think the major political parties would support the move because of the fact they had sold themselves out to such

supermarket chains. "Our political parties have betrayed the very essence of democracy and Ireland has become a banana republic. Any politicians who received favours from such companies should be forced to resign.

"They are not fit to hold office, Anyone who broke their marriage vows should not be fit to hold public office, either.

"On behalf of the business sector in Castlebar, I demand that something is done about Sunday trading. But it is sad to think that our politicians won't grasp the nettle in relation to the matter."

Reflection on Society

"As a shopkeeper in this town I can see how our livelihood and our wok is being effected.

"I think it is a reflection on society as a whole, however, that people demand to be able to shop on a Sunday. They don't care what workers are being paid to provide the service.

"This whole thing is a vicious circle and we should support the motion all the way."

Mr. Johnny Mee said the situation for suppliers to the major supermarket chains was frightening.

"Suppliers are at the mercy of these companies who seem to treat everybody like they are robots."

Mr. Blackie Gavin said Sunday should be maintained as a family day.

"All the big stores are getting away with murder."

Senator Paddy Burke said the motion was worthy of support. He outlined that representations had been made to the Government by independent traders about changing the trading laws to prohibit Sunday trading.

"There are enough of days for shopping than Sunday." Mr. Liam Coady said he knew the value of small business in Castlebar. Mr. Coady revealed he never stepped inside Castlebar's biggest supermarket since it opened over ten years ago.

Mr. Durcan thanked the members for their support. He asked for the motion to be circulated to all local authorities in the country, as well as the Municipal Authority of Ireland.