Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

On the point the Deputy raised concerning planning, I agree with the consumer strategy group's broad recommendation that planning authorities should not impede competition and should never utilise planning as a vehicle for impeding competition. On behalf of the State and the Oireachtas, the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government issues planning guidelines on a range of issues. The Oireachtas often concurs with the issuing to all local authorities of broad guidelines which could relate to social housing, housing in general, the retail area and so on. While local considerations must be considered, planning should never be used as a way to stop competition.

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