Maurice Quinlivan (Limerick City, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As I mentioned on previous Stages, Sinn Féin is happy to support this Bill. However, we would also like to see stated in the Bill that a compulsory purchase order, CPO, may only be exercised by the IDA in circumstances where no other alternative options are available, and as a last resort. I am happy, therefore, to support amendments Nos. 1 and 3, as we believe they clarify the approach the IDA would be expected to take in considering a CPO, namely, that it may only be exercised where no other viable land is available by agreement. This spells out the common sense approach the IDA would be expected to take in these rare circumstances and that it strikes a fair balance. I thank Deputy Daly for tabling these amendments, both of which Sinn Féin supports. This proposal strikes the fine balance that must be achieved to ensure that land and property owners are not adversely affected in the pursuit of suitable sites for multinational companies.

On Committee Stage, the Minister of State undertook to come back to on what would happen if land was acquired by CPO but for some reason the use of the land fell through and on whether the land could be sold back to the landowner at the same price.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the work and success of the IDA in attracting jobs to Ireland. We need to focus on bringing more of these jobs to regional Ireland, which will require greater investment by the Government in our infrastructure.

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