Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the position regarding the IDA land at Castledermot, County Kildare; if the local authority purchased the site; if the site is available to a possible interested party; if the land will be put up for sale by tender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24472/04]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland and its regions. The circa 1.4 hectare site in question, at Castledermot, County Kildare, is under the ownership of IDA Ireland. This site was approved for disposal by IDA Ireland to Kildare County Council in April 2003. The disposal of this site is part of a transaction that also involves the disposal of IDA lands at Kildare town and Monasterevin.

The transaction was approved on the basis that Kildare County Council would use the land for Enterprise Ireland and county enterprise board projects and to encourage other industrial development activities. Disposal of the land to the council would allow the land to be available for a range of activities outside the remit of IDA. The transaction has not been finalised to date and Kildare County Council has not advised that it will not be proceeding with the transaction. As long as the land at Castledermot remains in IDA ownership, it is available to qualifying IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland projects bearing in mind the current transaction with the council. I am aware that IDA Ireland is planning to meet Kildare County Council to attempt to progress the transaction.