Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans regarding the embargo on large scale commercial development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41244/11]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I assume that the Question refers to the draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Retail Planning which issued for public consultation on 21 November 2011 aimed at:

· ensuring that the planning system plays a key role in supporting competitiveness in the retail sector;

· advancing choice for the consumer while promoting and supporting the vitality and viability of city and town centres; and,

· contributing to a high standard of urban design and encouraging a greater use of sustainable transport.

In response to the requirement in the EU/IMF Programme of Financial Support for Ireland for an economic analysis of the potential impact on competition and consumer prices of eliminating or relaxing the floorspace cap on retail premises, my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation commissioned Forfás to undertake an evidence-based and focused study to analyse the potential economic impacts of eliminating the cap on the size of retail premises. The draft Guidelines take into account the recommendations of the Forfás Study Review of the Economic Impact of the Retail Cap which is also published on my Department's website at www.environ.ie. The public consultation period closed on 20 December 2011 and a total of 102 submissions are now being considered for purposes of finalising the Guidelines.