Government blocks hyper-market plans

The Government is confirming that it is blocking the construction of new hyper-markets by the big chain stores. The Minister for the Environment has announced that the restriction on the size, however slightly bigger stores are being allowed in the Dublin area.

The announcement by Minister Noel Dempsey comes at the end of a consultation process with all interested parties. Minister Dempsey is confirming that the size of the biggest supermarkets is to remain at 3,000 square metres, although in the greater Dublin area the cap is being increased by a further 500 square metres. This increase is being allowed because of the population size of Dublin and the fact that many houses are some distance from existing town centres. There have been fears that if the new hyper-markets were opened they could threaten traditional stores and, in some cases, even entire town centres.