An increase in the maximum size of supermarkets in Ireland's largest cities has been proposed by the Government.
The development follows a commitment under the IMF-EU Programme that the State would consider eliminating the cap on retailers' size.
In a consultation document published today by Environment Minister Phil Hogan, the cap on supermarkets in the Greater Dublin area will increase from 3,500sq.m to 4,000sq.m.
In Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford it will increase to 3,500sq.m and in the remainder of the country it will be 3,000sq.m.
The restriction on retail warehouses will remain at 6,000sq.m.
The Government commissioned think-tank Forfás to examine the issue. It concluded that scrapping the retail cap would produce mixed results.
