Liz O'Donnell
Question:40 Ms. O'Donnell asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the plans, if any, he has to use part of the old Packard plant at Airton Road in Tallaght, Dublin 24, for light assembly work. [6205/97]
Written Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) Plant.
As the Deputy is aware, in July, 1996 the Packard Electric plant in Tallaght ceased operations. At that time, IDA Ireland received a commitment from the company to keep the factory available for the attraction of a replacement industry for a two year period. The company has co-operated fully in this process and has maintained the building in excellent condition in order to attract potential investors.
IDA Ireland has circulated details of the availability of the facility through its network of offices world-wide and both IDA Ireland and Forbairt are promoting the facility as a top priority. However, as the entire property is a 120,000 sq. ft. building with an adjoining 15 acre site, its appeal is limited to some major projects assessing Ireland as a location for investment. In addition, a new greenfield site may be more appropriate to the needs of some projects than the Packard plant which was purpose built. Significant interest in the plant has been shown and a number of prestigious industrialists have visited it. While no potential client has agreed to date to acquire the facility intensive promotion to attract a replacement industry is continuing.
IDA Ireland has maintained ongoing contacts with the owners of the property, General Motors, and they have agreed to review the various options for the facility in mid 1997. This review will include, consideration of the subdivision of the building into smaller units, selling the building separately from the adjacent site and any other initiatives which may facilitate its disposal and provide new or alternative investment and employment at the plant. However, such initiatives would only be taken if there are grounds to believe that it will not be possible to attract a single major investor. There are no grounds for such a conclusion to be drawn at this time given the level of interest shown to date in the plant and the ongoing Government success in attracting foreign direct investment.
Accordingly, it is premature at this stage to consider splitting or subdividing the building for any purpose until the current options to attract a single major investor have been exhausted, which is clearly the first preference of IDA Ireland and the Government.