Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 587: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if there is a facility where persons planning to open establishments such as bookmakers, sex shops and head shops must apply to the council for a special class of planning permission. [6678/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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While there are no special planning requirements for the type of shops referred to in the Question, local authorities can use the powers currently available to them under the planning code, such as the development plan process, to ensure that late night and adult entertainment venues are not inappropriately located. The Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy has asked me to look at how the planning system might support the Department of Health regulatory response to the issue of so-called "head shops"; the issue is currently under consideration in my Department.

In relation to so-called sex shops, my Department established a task force in 2007 to examine how the planning system might support the wider regulatory context around the siting and location of adult entertainment venues. The task force was chaired by my Department and comprised representatives from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; the Office of the Revenue Commissioners; An Garda Síochána; and Dublin City Council. The task force has now finalised its work and I expect its report will be published shortly.

In relation to bookmakers shops, the Betting Act 1931, as amended, which comes under the aegis of the Minister for Finance, governs all matters relating to betting, including the licensing of bookmakers and betting shops by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. A major review of gambling (which includes betting) is currently being undertaken under the auspices of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and is aimed at developing a new and comprehensive legal and organisational framework governing gambling.