Madam, - The Government's decision to amend the planning regulations to facilitate a proposed Ikea outlet at Ballymun will provide Irish consumers with more choice and a new source of reasonably priced smart furniture. It will also provide new employment in retail stores. These are the main points put forward by the Minister for the Environment last week.
However, the ad hoc manner in which the Government has lifted the cap on our planning regulations is a very worrying development because international retailers such as Ikea do not source from local suppliers and because such warehouse-store operators employ relatively few people compared with indigenous Irish firms which source materials and services from the Irish supply chain.
Huge stores such as Ikea could seriously damage the Irish furniture industry and result in hundreds of job losses (there are 400 Irish furniture firms, according to Enterprise Ireland).
In addition, international players such as Ikea will repatriate their profits overseas and little or no benefits will accrue to Ireland. Finally the size of these stores will place severe pressure on road networks which are already inadequate.
Yes, Irish consumers want choice, competition and value for money. However to rush through amendments to our planning regulations to lure a high-profile retail store is a very short-sighted strategy. Areas such as Ballymun have already suffered from major planning disasters in the past.
We badly need good strategic planning and policies built on sustainable development principles. - Yours, etc.,
RICHARD COFFEY, Environmental Consultant, Wainsfort Manor Crescent, Dublin 6 W.