Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The Deputy is correct that we were obliged under the EU-IMF agreement to carry out an independent study of the retail sector from the point of view of competitiveness. We did so and we submitted a draft proposal to the EU-IMF, which did not take into account all the recommendations made by Forfás. I am conscious that balanced development is needed, as the Deputy said, and I am equally conscious of the potential power of the large multiples to suck business out of town centres if they are located on the edge of these towns. That has happened in the past and the Deputy will be aware from my earlier reply that I do not favour that. I am examining the sequential approach to ensure it is more robust and stronger in the context of the planning and development Acts, thus ensuring town centres are improved once again.

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