Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I remind Senator Cummins that yesterday, Members of the European Parliament were here. I stated that it was very important for the people to vote in favour of the European constitution because one of main attractions for international investment is our membership of the EU. We need to keep up the momentum on international and indigenous investment to maintain the standards of living to which the people have become accustomed. While I understand Senator Cummins's comments about the unacceptability of emergency legislation, it is common sense to deal with the Bill. While I agree in principle that we should not rush legislation through either the Dáil or the Seanad, in the circumstances of this Bill I cannot see any complaint.

As the Minister said in his speech, "The advice of the Attorney General was sought regarding the legislative action necessary to prevent the widespread use of the device employed in the case mentioned." These properties were bought with taxpayers' money for State use and we cannot allow private individuals to make money by using State property for a purpose other than its original intention. While I am not being discourteous to Senator Cummins but with all due respect, if Waterford has empty IDA Ireland sites, he should put the heat on his representatives locally to get either an indigenous industry or an international investment. Such sites should not be empty. It hurts me personally as my husband, Pádraig White, was chief executive of the IDA from 1980 to 1990. At the time advance factories were critical in attracting industry to the country, as we had no infrastructure suitable for high-tech investment.