Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to make a couple of points on the Bill, and I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the debate. As my colleague has already outlined, Fianna Fáil will support the Bill because we support its main content. The Bill provides IDA Ireland with the power to acquire strategic sites for industrial development where it has identified particular undertakings to use them. The Bill also updates IDA Ireland's statutory powers to acquire land by compulsory purchase. The new provisions are modelled on those used for the housing authorities under the Housing Act 1966. IDA Ireland may use them only where it has identified a suitable industrial undertaking to use the land.

This is very welcome, and I accept that in certain areas and certain developments IDA Ireland needs these powers, but I do have a concern. I acknowledge the good work of the CEO and all of the officials who work on the international stage to ensure they do their best to attract foreign direct investment to our island. My colleague, Deputy O'Rourke, outlined the spin-off generated in a particular area by foreign direct investment, but we still have an issue. A few moments ago, the Minister of State told Deputy McGrath that 45% of the jobs created last year were outside Dublin but they are still predominantly in certain areas along the east coast.

Look at a town such as Mullingar, which is only 50 km from the capital city and has a motorway right to an IDA Ireland park. IDA Ireland acquired a 58 acre park more than a decade ago. It has been built and infrastructure is in place, with roads, broadband, sewerage services and bus stops but, with the exception of one business that relocated from another park in Mullingar more than four years ago, nothing is in it. It does not even have a proper entrance. What I am saying is that without question IDA Ireland needs the powers, but it should also be looking to market areas that have been critically lacking in foreign direct support in recent years. This evening I am speaking specifically about Mullingar. Why does IDA Ireland not go into a park, such as that in Mullingar and put units in place? When people come to invest in Ireland they want to see where they can move into now and not where they can acquire a site, do up plans, apply for planning permission, go to tender and construct our building. They will not wait for 18 months or two years. IDA Ireland needs to be ambitious and bold. It needs to come into areas such as Marlinstown Business Park and put buildings in place. Then we would have a much greater advantage and incentive for companies relocating and investing on this island.

I did not want to let the occasion go, as we discuss giving IDA Ireland greater powers, without stating it has obligations. I am being very parochial, and I do not apologise for it, with regard to Mullingar. I am sure if I speak to other colleagues right across the political divide they would be able to identify locations where IDA Ireland has land which has been paid for and the State has made an investment in terms of the necessary infrastructure in roads, sewerage and broadband. The parks are there and they are not being fully utilised. I ask the Minister of State to accelerate the efforts and work with IDA Ireland to ensure it is given targets to bring companies looking to invest on our island to areas outside of Dublin and the east coast and to consider areas and towns such as Mullingar.

See this speech in context