Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to bring the Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill 2018 before the committee for its consideration. I thank the Chairman and members for the opportunity to do so.

This is a short, technical but essential Bill which aims to ensure that IDA Ireland continues to have the capacity to provide property solutions to potential investors. I am sure that members will recognise that in order to sustain and to grow foreign direct investment in regional areas in particular, there must be sufficient property solutions for new and existing clients. In fact this is a key factor in encouraging multinational companies to locate here. Accordingly, a vital aspect of IDA Ireland's work remains as has been the case for many years connecting those firms with property solutions and to be able to do so effectively, it needs the continued capacity to purchase property that can be marketed to potential investors.

This Bill addresses the implications of the 2015 Supreme Court judgment and seeks to ensure that IDA Ireland will continue to have the capacity to compulsory acquire property on an exceptional basis in very limited circumstances, subject to strict requirements. As per the terms of that judgment, provision has been made in the Bill for an independent body, which is An Bord Pleanála, to undertake a full adjudicatory role in the process, a role that has been very much aligned to its existing role in compulsory purchases carried out by other State bodies. The Bill does not grant any additional or expanded compulsory purchase powers to IDA Ireland, rather the Bill seeks to modernise the process and apply best practice to it. Second, the Bill will ensure that IDA Ireland can continue to purchase property by agreement, even when it is for the future use and no specific company has been identified as the beneficiary of the acquisition.

The committee will, of course, be aware that regional development is one of the key priorities of this Government, my Department and of IDA Ireland. It is a common goal that all of us share. We are committed to doing everything we can to both sustain and create employment opportunities all over Ireland and IDA Ireland has a significant role to play in that work. Given the critical role, particularly in terms of trying to support regional development, it is essential that there is no legal uncertainty when it comes to its property purchasing powers. This is why this Bill is particularly important and why I am seeking the committee's support today in progressing this legislation and I look forward to engaging with members.