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Seanad Éireann debate -
Friday, 7 Jul 1995

Vol. 144 No. 7

Minerals Development Bill, 1995: Report and Final Stages.

Question proposed: "That the Bill be received for final consideration."

We do not want to delay the passage of the Bill but we may have overlooked one thing. We want to emphasise again to the Minister of State

— and we appreciate the constructive approach she has adopted to this Bill — that we hope she will have the necessary influence on her colleagues to bring about changes in the IDA.

I want to make a point about IDA activities overseas — attracting overseas investment and the IDA'S involvement — which is urgently necessary to revitalise this industry. There is a need to get the enterprise of the IDA involved in attracting foreign investment and entrepreneurs to get this working. To a large extent the industry here is dependent on a few enterprising innovative developers and prospectors. There is a basic necessity for further support for those people by attracting overseas investment. The Minister should emphasise to her colleagues that the IDA should actively pursue that.

Question put and agreed to.
Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."

I will pass on Senator Daly's comments in relation to the IDA to the Minister. There could be an opportunity for further discussion of this issue in the Seanad, which I would encourage, when the review group report is published. That report could form the basis of a debate or discussion in the House. I wish to express my thanks for the support and co-operation which I and my colleague Ministers received during the passage of this Bill through the Seanad. I appreciate the constructive and helpful manner in which comments were made and the general support that has been expressed for the Bill.

I beg the Leas-Chathaoirleach's indulgence for 30 seconds to allow me to add my word of tribute to the late Senator Gordon Wilson and the late Senator Seán Fallon, with whom I had the pleasure and honour to serve in this House some years ago. They were, in their different ways, two special men for different reasons. I join in the warm tributes that have been expressed over the last two weeks, both in this House and in the Dáil, and express my sympathy to their wives — Mrs. Joan Wilson and Mrs. Anne Fallon — and their families. I have fond memories of my years working with both the late Senators, who were special men in different ways.

Question put and agreed to.
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