Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

All those organisations have different views. The draft guidelines play a critical role in refocusing on plan-led development rather than a developer-led approach, which has bedevilled cities such as Limerick and other places throughout the country. I recognise that the retail sector plays a key role in generating employment and attracting people to cities, towns and villages. I am also conscious of the fact that in provincial towns, in particular, retail businesses are under pressure, so we do not wish to do anything that will massively distort the marketplace even further for those businesses. For that reason I have no proposals to increase the cap in the context of provincial towns.

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