IKEA

Here's the latest update on a much coveted event - the opening of Ireland's very first IKEA. (I can't wait!) This article appeared in this morning's Irish Independent...

An Bord Pleanala is due to begin a public hearing today into plans for a
massive IKEA outlet on the outskirts of Dublin city.

The Swedish furniture giant has already secured planning permission for the 30,000 square metre retail warehouse in the Ballymun area.The move was
approved after the Government lifted a cap on shop size that had limited all
retail outlets to 6,000 square metres.

A number of parties have appealed against the planning permission, including the National Roads Authority and Green Party TD Eamon Ryan.

Their concerns include the lack of infrastructure to deal with the extra
traffic that would be caused by the IKEA store. An Bord Pleanala's hearing into
the matter is expected to last three days, with the organisation set to make its
final decision known in late May.