Emergency legislation is urgently needed to protect hundreds of jobs in electrical and furniture businesses across the country.
This is the view of Independent Galway West TD Noel Grealish, who has called on the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan to introduce such legislation.
Dep Grealish has called for this action following representations by retailers who are concerned about an emerging trend, where companies are moved into an empty warehouse for a number of weeks for fire and liquidation sales.
“These liquidation sales are putting hundreds of jobs at risk, not just here in Galway but across the country,” said Dep Grealish. “Established retailers, who have all the associated costs of running a business cannot compete with companies who move into an empty space over a weekend and sell goods at drastically reduced prices.”
Dep Grealish also pointed out that companies operating liquidation sales do not have to pay rates or meet fire or planning regulations.
“While nobody has a problem with competition, it should be a level playing field for everyone,” he said, “otherwise it could cost a significant number of local jobs and we cannot allow this to happen.”
Dep Grealish will be meeting with Minister Hogan and the Minister for Planning, Willie Penrose to discuss this matter.
