Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if, in the proposed issues paper on the retail planning guidelines, he will look at the potentially negative impact on employment in the retail and allied sectors of amending the retail planning guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18565/10]

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Retail strategies are prepared by all planning authorities as part of their development plans. Given the considerable changes in economic and social development since the current Retail Planning Guidelines were published in 2001 and updated in 2005, particularly in relation to population and settlement patterns, it is important that the forward planning context for future retail development remains robust and realistic.

My Department is preparing an Issues Paper for publication shortly to provide an opportunity for stakeholders and interested parties to assist in identifying key issues to be considered in the context of preparing and drafting revised retail planning guidelines. Issues which could be raised through this initial consultation process could include potential employment or other impacts of any possible changes to the guidelines. I intend to issue the draft revised retail guidelines for public consultation before their finalisation later this year.