Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understood, correctly or incorrectly, from the what the Minister, Deputy Brendan Howlin, told us that by not moving my Valuation (Amendment) Bill 2013, its provisions would be incorporated into or provided for in this Bill. My concern is ensuring there is equality as between in-town and out-of-town retail enterprises. Many of our towns have been decimated by the development of huge-scale, edge-of-town shopping developments, largely of the supermarket variety. Moreover, in recent times, many local authorities have imposed charges for car parking in towns. The Retail, Grocery, Dairy and Allied Trades Association, RGDATA - which happens to be my nominating body - is very concerned, as are traders and retailers in towns throughout the country, that many of these out-of-town stores are providing large-scale surface car parking free of charge. That is a totally inequitable situation which places in-town retailers, many of whom have suffered greatly, at a major disadvantage.

Planners have a great deal to answer for in terms of what has happened up and down the country. In many cases, they have succeeded in wrecking towns. This is something of a side issue but one of which the Minister of State is well aware, because we have had several conversations about it. I look forward to hearing his observations in this regard.