Vol. 550 No. 5
53 Mr. Deasy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the IDA have indicated if they have any prospects of attracting some heavy industries at their prime site at Bellview Port or if there are any infrastructural deficiencies such as an inadequate ESB supply which are causing problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9486/02]
The management of the industrial property portfolio is a day to day matter for IDA Ireland and not one in which I have a direct function. IDA Ireland acquired circa 53 hectares in 1999 as part of the agency's advance planning strategy of identifying suitable locations as strategic sites capable of being developed to attract large-medium scale projects in the biotech-pharmaceutical, electronics, healthcare and food sectors.
Large-medium scale projects by their nature have special requirements in relation to infrastructure – in particular they are a large user of utility services such as power, water, gas, waste disposal. These utilities cannot be provided by IDA Ireland directly, but by the various utility companies in line with their development plans for an area.
IDA Ireland is examining the long-term infrastructure requirements necessary to be put in place at Belview to service the needs of large-medium scale industry wishing to locate there, and has appointed consultants to report on the extent of the services required and the cost implications for the provision of these special services. Preliminary indications are that there is a substantial investment required in providing the required power, gas and water supply necessary for the type of large-medium scale industry envisaged for the Belview Port area.
