Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I issued draft Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Retail Planning 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 floor space 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 I also published last week. The draft guidelines are open for public consultation until 20 December 2011, and I look forward to good engagement through submissions and observations which will be considered in finalising the guidelines in early 2012.

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