Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 30 Apr 1998

Vol. 490 No. 4

Written Answers. - Retail Sector Developments.

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

71 Mr. B. Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if her attention has been drawn to the widespread concern, particularly in many rural towns, in relation to the development of multiple stores and their detrimental effect on business, particularly smaller retail units and, in general, their effect on the rural economy; the action, if any, she proposes to take to protect the smaller retail units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10323/98]

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Miss Harney)

I refer the Deputy to replies I gave to parliamentary questions on 26 March and 21 April 1998 on the subject of superstores. I have no powers under any legislation to control the development, location, size or the nature of retail outlets. I am responsible for competition law and specifically for the Competition Acts, 1991 and 1996. Under the

Competition Acts and through the Competition Authority, which was established to regulate competition, aggrieved persons can take legal action themselves or make a complaint to the Director of Competition Enforcement where they feel that anti-competitive measures have been deployed against them.

Provision is made under the physical planning laws and procedures to take account of the concerns of the Deputy and, as I have previously stated, I believe the physical planning laws are the context in which the issues outlined by the Deputy can best be addressed. I am writing to the Minister for the Environment and Local Government in this regard and I understand he has had a recent meeting with representatives of RGDATA on the matter.