Batt O'Keeffe (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

There is some work still to be done. We hope to bring it back here for Report Stage within the next three weeks.

I welcome the positive reception from all sides of the House to the concept of business improvement districts. As Senators know, this has been tried and tested elsewhere, especially in the US and Canada, and I believe the success achieved elsewhere can be translated to our cities and towns in the years ahead. The positive effects of business improvement districts can be many and varied. As well as improving business, they will also have a positive effect on communities living in a particular area. Business improvement districts have a positive effect on tourism and help create employment. In some jurisdictions, business improvement districts have contributed to a reduction in crime, an issue which is never far from the agenda in this House. I appreciated this useful and constructive exchange of views and I thank Senators for their contributions.