asked the Minister for Local Government whether he will give the number of applications received by the town planning department of Dublin Corporation for the erection of supermarkets since the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963 came into operation; and whether the planning department take into account the plight of small traders affected, many of whom are being driven out of business as a result of the indiscriminate spread of supermarkets which are often backed by foreign capital.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Erection of Supermarkets.
13.
Mr. O'Leary
I am informed that since the 1st October, 1964, the date of coming into operation of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1963, Dublin Corporation received applications for permission for the erection of five supermarkets and for construction of eight shopping centres each of which included a supermarket. I am advised that the effect which supermarkets may have on other traders in the vicinity is not a consideration which may be taken into account by the planning authority in considering such applications. I should add that the conversion of existing shops to supermarkets would in many cases be free from planning control.
Mr. O'Leary
Are we to gather from the Minister's reply that if existing traders in an area where it is proposed to erect a supermarket, which must affect their returns, make representations to the planning authority with regard to the erection of the supermarket, these representations will be ignored? Is that the implication of the Minister's reply?
Not necessarily. If their representations have to do with any of those matters which may be considered for the purposes of planning permission, they would not be ignored.
Mr. O'Leary
If a small trader can prove to any so-called planning body that his means of livelihood will be destroyed by reason of the erection of a supermarket, is this a consideration which is taken into account in relation to the planning decision?
For strict planning purposes, I should not think that these are relevant matters, in the matter of permission.
Mr. O'Leary
Therefore a man's livelihood is not relevant?
If there were no planning laws, there would be no question of going to anybody and these people could build where they like. We have brought in these regulations for the control of planning and the decision of the planning authority has reference to planning matters only.
Mr. O'Leary
This is a new law.