John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Eoghan Murphy. As someone who is familiar with Naas, I know the cranes to which Deputy Durkan referred. Sadly, there will not be much news in the response that I must give him.

I recognise and appreciate that the Deputy is eager, to say the least, to see this particular matter brought to a satisfactory resolution. As indicated in previous parliamentary responses on the issue, however, the management of the stalled development in Naas is primarily a matter for Kildare County Council in the first instance. With processes under way involving NAMA and arbitration, it would be inappropriate for the Minister to become involved. It would not be proper for the Minister with responsibility for planning matters to make representations on this issue because, under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act, he is precluded from exercising any power or control in respect of any case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be involved, except in very specific and extreme circumstances, which do not appear to apply in this case.

The Deputy will be aware that the hearing of evidence in the High Court in regard to a land title issue on Corban's Lane was completed on 14 June and that the relevant judgment is awaited. Consequently, the arbitration hearing cannot recommence until the High Court land title case is resolved and the judgment issued.

I am informed that Kildare County Council continues to engage in advanced discussions with NAMA and the receivers in an attempt to ensure that a satisfactory sale of the site in question will come about. The council has confirmed to the Department that it will brief all relevant Oireachtas and municipal district members as soon as there is progress to report.

As the Minister and the Minister of State, Deputy English, have outlined, and subject to a satisfactory planning approval, there is no impediment to the appropriate development of the site. Kildare County Council recognises the strategic importance of the site and will continue to support and work in partnership with any stakeholder involved. In recent years, the council has initiated and supported a number of projects with the strategic objective of ensuring that the social and economic development of Naas is protected and enhanced. This work is underpinned by the work of the Naas roads and transport steering group, the URBACT group and the Naas regeneration group. Kildare County Council has also received approval from the National Transport Authority to prepare a traffic management study for Naas which will form one element of a strategic social and economic plan for the town.

While I am sure the Deputy is frustrated by the length of time it is taking to get the matter resolved, I know that the local authority is doing all it can within the parameters of its role. We must recognise the due processes that are necessary given the receivership issues that arise in this case, but I am hopeful that there will be further progress to resolve the matter and facilitate the development of this strategic town centre site.

This is the first time I have been asked a question on the issue. While we are precluded ministerially from getting directly involved in the planning affairs of local authorities when planning matters are before them, I am not precluded from inquiring of Kildare County Council about the current position. In light of the Deputy's interest, as well as my own, in the development of Naas town, I would have no problem with ascertaining that information.

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