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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht – Questions on Policy or Legislation

Mr. Price planning dispute

Summary

Deputy McGrath asked the Minister to act as an honest broker in a Tipperary town planning dispute involving Mr. Price. The Ceann Comhairle and Minister both stated clearly that the Minister cannot intervene in a planning matter.

I ask the Minister to act as an honest broker between Tipperary County Council and Mr. Price in Tipperary town. Enforcement proceedings are being taken to hunt the retailer Mr. Price out of the town, which is on its knees. Mr. Price is a blended retailer selling a mix of convenience, comparison and bulky goods and has 65 stores nationwide in town centres and shopping centres within its portfolio. Mr. Price boasts the expertise and retail knowledge to transform Tipperary retail park into a thriving edge-of-town comparison centre. We need that badly in Tipperary town. We have nothing and have got nothing over the decades. It beggars belief that planning enforcement is trying to hunt Mr. Price out of that area. It tried to get a property in the town, a property that is closed down, with a "for sale" sign on it, although it is not for sale, that is, the old Supervalu. Will the Minister intervene, ask for common sense and try to work with the company? We need these valuable 12 jobs and the valuable asset in the retail park.

Comment on this

I cannot allow the Minister to intervene; for him to do so would be illegal.

Comment on this

As an honest broker, I said.

Comment on this

The Minister cannot intervene in any way in any planning matter.

Comment on this

That is a fact. That is what I was going to say. The planning Act precludes me from doing that.

Comment on this