James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus cuirim fáilte roimh an mBille seo. I am delighted to welcome this very good Bill. As the Minister said, it is technical, short and to the point. It comes about as a result of a court case. The IDA does not just do a good job; it does a great job. It is a jewel in the crown of the country and the envy of many other nations in its success rate in attracting FDI and many jobs to the country. It is also important to remember that SMEs, which we mentioned only a while ago while discussing another Bill, are the backbone of our economy and very much the backbone of economies in rural areas. Whilst many of us have left the land, most of us are only a generation away from it and understand the emotional attachment to land. I commend the farmer from Kildare - his name eludes me, although I remember the case well - on fighting his case and fighting for his right to stay in his family home. This Bill has addressed one of the core issues, which is a CPO for which there is no designated purpose and no specific company awaiting its use but rather implemented as a strategic decision. We commend the IDA on its strategic decisions and those purchases will continue. I welcome that in the Bill. I also welcome that an appeal can be made to An Bord Pleanála and that the rights of people will be respected. There will be a direct and real need for a specific site if it is to be the subject of a CPO and families will be compensated. It is difficult for people in these circumstances and it is harrowing for the families. I know of one case where eight years later there is still no settlement in respect of a CPO. However, it has nothing to do with the IDA.

I commend the Minister and the IDA, which does such sterling work for us throughout the world. I also commend the Bill to the House.