Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 399: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his attention has been drawn to the role played by the IDA in lobbying for a particular route for the proposed metro north; and his views on the appropriateness or otherwise in such action. [31997/06]

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 (FDI) to Ireland and its regions. While I am empowered under the Development Acts to provide funds to the agency to discharge its obligations and to issue general policy directives, I am specifically precluded from giving directives to the agency concerning individual undertakings or directives that would require the Agency to give preference to one area over another.

As part of its day-to-day operational activities IDA Ireland maintains regular contact with a wide range of national and local bodies, including planning authorities and infrastructure providers, with a view to advising and/or convincing them of the importance of meeting the needs of potential overseas investors. This is a core activity of the Agency and imperative if Ireland is to remain a preferred location for foreign direct investment.

I am informed by IDA Ireland that it has offered it's views on Metro North to the Rail Procurement Agency (RPA) in the context of the RPA request for submissions from interested parties and that the Agency considers Metro North to be a significant infrastructure project in terms of FDI promotion into Ireland and the East region.

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 400: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when the lands owned by the IDA in Kanturk, County Cork will be sold to Cork County Council to develop an industrial site. [32103/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio, including the purchase and disposal of property, is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas and not a matter in which I have a function.

I have been informed by IDA Ireland that, in August 2006, the Agency agreed to sell the Kanturk site on a leasehold basis to Cork County Council. However, the Council subsequently indicated that it required the freehold interest on the site. This meant that IDA had to seek a new valuation for the property. The new valuation has now been received from IDA's agents and the Agency will enter into further discussions with Cork County Council with a view to agreeing a sale price for the site.

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 401: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of grant aid provided by his Department to a company (details supplied) in County Offaly since June 2002; the ongoing discussions regarding the return of support for a sister plant in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32145/06]

Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 402: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of grant aid provided by his Department to a company (details supplied) in County Tipperary since June 2002; the ongoing discussions regarding the refund of support for a sister plant in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32146/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 together.

Grant aid amounting to €469,560 was approved for the company's plant at Edenderry, Co Offaly between the period June, 2002 and September, 2006. The grant amount paid to date is €159,866. The grant aid consisted of two Research and Development projects relating to new product and process development. The aid was provided under Enterprise Ireland's Research and Technology Innovation scheme.

No grant aid has been provided to the company's plant at Roscrea, Co. Tipperary since June, 2002.

Discussions between Enterprise Ireland and the company concerning grant aid to the plant at Rooskey, Co. Roscommon are still continuing. I am pleased to say that progress is being made on the negotiations and I expect that a conclusion will be reached which will take account of a very significant investment which is being undertaken by the company in its Pork Division in Ireland.