asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism whether it is his intention to introduce any legislation to control the growth of the supermarket sector of the retail trade at the expense of independent retailers.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Retail Trade.
221.
I do not intend to sponsor legislation to regulate the growth of the supermarket sector of the retail grocery trade. However, arising out of concern at the adverse effects which developments in this area might have on existing communities and shopping outlets, the Minister for the Environment in May 1981 issued a directive under section 6 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1976. This directive made it mandatory for An Bord Pleanála to take certain factors such as size, location, impact on employment and effect on existing retailers into account when considering planning appeals in respect of large scale outlets.
The Local Government (Planning and Development) Act, 1982, contained a provision enabling the Minister for the Environment to issue directives on policy matters to local authorities as well as to An Bord Pleanála. Accordingly in August 1982 a directive, similar in effect to that issued in 1981, but applying to all planning authorities as well as to An Bord Pleanála was issued by my colleague, the Minister for the Environment.