Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Office of the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating this debate. I have raised the issue of the stalled development at Naas town centre in the House on a number of occasions in various guises. The issue has been ongoing for a considerable time, seven or eight years at this stage, and the unfinished development is now virtually a blight on the town.

The town of Naas is a progressive provincial town which has always been innovative in terms of business. However, business has suffered greatly as a result of the fact the tower cranes have not moved for a long time. I have raised this matter with the local authority, particularly in respect of the arbitrators who are dealing with an issue of arbitration which, hopefully, will conclude in January. I now raise the issue with the Minister of State in the context of the extent to which NAMA is involved in the scenario and the extent to which it can engage positively with the various authorities, including the local authority, with a view to moving the development forward at the first available opportunity.

This issue is important for more than one reason. It is a catalyst for development that is stalled in a similar fashion in other towns and villages throughout the county. County Kildare lies next door to our capital city, which puts considerable pressure on development in Naas, Sallins and all the towns of north Kildare from both a commercial and residential property point of view. Both sectors are heavily affected by the stalled development at Naas. Visually, the issue is obvious to all as three or four tower cranes are seen to be stalled against the skyline. This is not a good advertisement for business and is not good for the morale of the local business community or the local chamber of commerce which is supportive and very active in the area and has been anxious to move matters forward.

While I fully accept the restrictions that apply in regard to NAMA, they cannot continue forever. Therefore, I call on the Government to encourage NAMA to move on this. I do not suggest the stalling of this development is deliberate. However, nothing is to be gained by the continued stalling of the development and we cannot afford to allow it to wither much longer. It is hugely important from the point of view of both commercial and residential development. It is vital the matter moves forward as quickly as possible.

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