I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 to 242, inclusive, together.
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 and it is not a matter in which the Minister of the day has any involvement.
I am informed by IDA Ireland that, at present, the Agency has approximately 2.27 hectares remaining available in Monasterevin, approximately 1.77 hectares remaining available in Athy, (Woodstock), and approximately 1.53 hectares remaining available in Castledermot. The Agency has no lands in Kildare town.
I understand that the Board of IDA approved the sale of all these lands to Kildare County Council at its Board meeting on April 9th 2003. However, this transaction was never finalised due to a failure in negotiations.
IDA informs me that it is currently reviewing the future use of the lands. As part of this review, the Agency has written to Kildare County Council in recent weeks to determine the Council's interest in the acquisition of these lands.
For reasons of confidentiality and commercial sensitivity the cost of acquiring land by IDA are not divulged. In addition, I would like to add that IDA Ireland is regularly in communication with Kildare County Council on a variety of issues.
IDA Ireland is an active participant on the Kildare County Development Board, at which all local development issues are discussed.