Criticism raised against Dublin City Council’s decision to bans street trading ahead of Christmas

Dublin City Council has announced that the traditional Christmas season street trading will not be appreciated this year because of Covid-19.

This decision to prohibit street trades on Dublin’s Henry Street has been criticized by the local representatives.

In a statement, the Council said that Christmas traders are a huge part of the festive season in Dublin. “We realise that many people will be disappointed. We are too, but safety must come first,” it added.

Janice Boylan, Sinn Féin councillor alleged that the city council was always trying to put an end to street trading even before the pandemic. She said that with the new decision, the street traders won’t be allowed to resume their business but the shops can remain open and this is unfair.

“The street traders are just as capable of making it safe to shop on the street as it is in shop premises,” she said.

She questions that, if restrictions are eased and if it is deemed safe to sit and eat outside a coffee shop, why would it not be as safe to buy goods from a stall on the street?

On the other hand, the City Council in its statement shares an optimistic view of seeing the street traders back on Henry Street and Mary Street next year.