John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I think Mr. Jones is correct in saying that some local authorities have been better than others in using the CPO powers that are there. I agree with everything there. There is nothing wrong with the local authority making some profit or selling on the land after it is assembled in order to activate it for use now. Others view things very differently. Some would present that as the State selling on an asset that it has assembled. Take the example of the North Quays in Waterford. That is also a strategic development zone. Waterford City and County Council actively assembled that land bank through the use of CPOs and negotiation. Negotiation is always better than having to use a CPO but, where required, it is a useful tool. Some people said that it was wrong to sell it on to Harcourt Developments which will now put €300 million on top of a State investment of €170 million to develop out a strategic development zone which will transform the face of Waterford city. Many of these tools do exist and the question is how they are used. The Government, sometimes correctly, gets flak for things not moving but other times it is misdirected because there are many tools which some local authorities use and others do not use at all such as repair and lease, vacant properties and CPOs. Some local authorities are top of the game and others are not even at the races.

I am using Waterford as an example because I know it best. It is not to be parochial. Do our guests not think that the SDZs give certainty for both the public and the developer? I have been involved in that process. We are very clear on what is allowable on the Waterford North Quays in terms of height and quantums of retail, apartment units, hotel beds and office space. What is it that is not working? I am looking at No. 16 in the opening statement. What is it that does not give the necessary certainty?