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

I thank the Ceann Comhairle and his office for affording me the opportunity to raise once again this very important issue. I want to discuss the impact on the town of Naas of the stalling of the town centre development. It was thought up some years ago as a flagship development that would attract a major anchor tenant that would, in turn, attract footfall which would be of huge and dramatic importance in the development of the town and the resurgence of commerce and the business sector in the area. Unfortunately, owing to circumstances that affected many parts of the country at the time, the development ceased and the company is now in receivership. Since 2008 there have been numerous attempts to bring it back into focus, but it has not yet happened. Every time someone inquires about it, there are various responses, as the Acting Chairman will be aware. We hear such responses as a breakthrough is about to be achieved, or that there are very positive things happening, or that they know where they are going and need the right sequence of measures to be put in place, but whatever has happened until now it is not enough. We have had the excuses which have come from all quarters. The fact is that the town has been blighted by the development that has not proceeded. There is symbolism in the cranes that have been immobile for ten years. No matter what way the town is approached, the first things that can be see are the cranes.

I have had discussions with various people who have been involved in various proposals. I have also raised the matter in the House on several occasions and hope I will not have to raise it again. I thank the Minister of State for coming into the Chamber to address this Topical Issue. This is a crucial time. We either make a breakthrough now or it will not happen at all.

I have made approaches to the arbitration authorities in an effort to apply pressure and get something done in the shortest possible time. I have been in touch with the local authority, as has everyone else. I have been in touch with the Minister, the Minister of State and their offices. There is little else I can do other than launch myself into space as a symbol of protest at this situation having remained immobile for so long.

Suffice it to say, there is still time to make a positive intervention. I am not blaming the Minister or his predecessors, but it is unacceptable that a business element in a major provincial town would be stalled in this fashion for ten years. Naas is well known throughout the country as being a market town and has always had a great reputation, as have its business people, and it has always enjoyed significant employment.

There needs to be a return of footfall to the town centre. Various developments have tended to draw the commercial sector outside the town. If that is allowed to continue, there will be more serious consequences and public confidence in the town will fail. So will confidence among business people, who invest their money in the town's businesses. It will all be to no avail unless something dramatic is done.

Will the Minister of State examine the issues and contact the parties involved with a view to bringing them together and knocking heads together, if necessary, in order to kick-start what has to happen sooner or later?

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