Vol. 503 No. 4
85 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the fact that, if large retail operations are allowed to go unchecked, there will be significant socio-economic implications for Ireland with the very real possibility of small retailers and suppliers being forced to close and shed jobs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10403/99]
The Minister for the Environment and Local Government made a policy directive and regulations under the Planning Acts in June 1998 to limit the size of supermarket development to 3,000 sq. metres. At the same time his Department engaged consultants to carry out a detailed study on large scale retail development and to draft revised planning guidelines in the light of the studys findings. My Department is represented on the steering committee which was established to oversee the study.
The draft guidelines, which were issued on 15 April 1999 for a period of two months for public comment, essentially deal with the planning issues associated with retail development. To ensure the wider economic, social and environmental aspects of the draft guidelines are considered, I have agreed with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Deputy Dempsey, that further analysis will be carried out on the likely impact of the guidelines in relation to competition, prices, consumer choice and the supplier base. The outcome of this further study will be taken into account in drawing up the Government policy position on retail development.
