Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also noted the reference to compulsory purchase orders in the Deputy's question. While local authorities have some powers in the area of compulsory purchase orders, they clearly do not consider them to be sufficiently strong. We are willing to examine this issue. Other State body stakeholders have CPO powers which are not being used. We will see what we can do to increase the use of these powers, where they are required.

As Deputy Cowen will be aware from his professional background, compulsory purchase orders are highly complicated and give rise to legal issues. CPOs do not always work and local authorities have indicated to me that they sometimes retreat from using them because they involve investing significant time and money which they would prefer to use to achieve specific purposes. Local authorities that pursue CPOs or other planning issues frequently lose the money they spend on doing so. We are, therefore, trying to find new ways to encourage activity. Deputy Cowen referred to grants, taxes and so forth. We will examine these options to try to reward activity as opposed to always threatening action. We are examining these issues and we are willing to act.

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