Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The management of IDA Ireland's industrial property portfolio is a day-to-day operational matter for the Agency, as part of the statutory responsibility assigned to it by the Oireachtas, this is not a matter for which I have direct responsibility.

I have made enquiries to IDA and I have been informed that the Agency sold lands to North West Kildare/North Offaly Partnership Company Limited in 2007. The lease contained an obligation on the part of Oak Partnership, the local development company for the North West Kidare / North Offaly to develop the site. Substantial commencement was to have occurred by 14th November 2008 and substantial completion was to have occurred by 14th November 2009.

In 2010, pursuant to the Government Cohesion Process, a process which sought to amalgamate certain entities i.e. Leader Companies and Partnership Companies, Oak Partnership was to be wound up and a new entity called Edenderry Community Enterprise Centre Limited was to be established.

I understand that IDA agreed to the assignment of the lease to the new entity and also granted a time extension to 31 August 2012 for the completion of building works.

In March 2012, Oak Partnership approached IDA Ireland again and confirmed that it had not completed the transfer of the asset to Edenderry Community Enterprise Centre Limited. Oak Partnership was still to be wound up and the solution proposed by them was for the land to be transferred back to IDA Ireland.

IDA Ireland maintains that it is not obliged to reacquire the lands but merely has a right to reacquire the lands at the original sale price. I am informed by IDA that the Agency has no intention of exercising this right.

I have, however, asked IDA Property Division to contact the Edenderry Community Enterprise Centre Ltd once again, with a view to clarifying the situation to the satisfaction of both parties.