Vol. 476 No. 6
127 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the requests, if any, he has received from Tipperary South Riding County Council to receive a deputation of discuss the provision of an advance factory at Slieveardagh, County Tipperary; if he will receive the deputation; if so, when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7779/97]
I have in recent days received a request to meet with a deputation for the Tipperary South Riding County Council to discuss the matter raised by the Deputy. I will be considering this request in the context of a very heavy schedule of engagements, to which I am already committed, and I will be formally replying in the immediate future.
The Deputy will be aware of my policy that IDA Ireland, which was given responsibility for the industrial property portfolio in January 1996, should progressively disengage from its role as property landlord. Advance factory space in the future will be provided by the private sector. IDA Ireland will then actively promote and market such buildings. The Deputy will also be aware of the activities of both SFADCo and IDA in successfully marketing existing buildings in towns surrounding Slieverdagh and of the initiatives to involve the private sector in advance factory provision in locations where such investment has real potential to realise an adequate return.
The industrial property policy of the Government, as outlined, is being actively implemented, in Tipperary and other counties, so as to ensure that Government policy to facilitate balanced regional development and an equitable distribution of employment opportunities continues to be realised.
