David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 188: To ask the Taoiseach the Department, with reference to the commitment in the programme for Government that an enterprise audit will be conducted to review the use of existing and redundant agricultural buildings and manufacturing plants in rural areas, that will be responsible for ensuring that this enterprise audit is carried out; the agencies that will carry out this audit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9337/08]

Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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In line with the commitment we have made in the Programme for Government, we are currently finalising arrangements for an enterprise audit to review the use of existing and redundant agricultural buildings and manufacturing plants in rural areas.

As the Deputy will appreciate, this is a comprehensive undertaking involving a number of state agencies and Government Departments. Final arrangements have yet to be made, but I can assure the Deputy that it will be completed during the lifetime of this Government.

I am happy to inform the Deputy that the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs will coordinate with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

This Government is fully committed to creating vibrant rural areas nationwide with a strong agriculture and enterprise sector. In previous Governments I have been privileged to lead, we have placed a new emphasis on the development of rural areas. Under this Government, we have continued and strengthened this commitment up to 2012.