As I indicated in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions tabled on this matter, including the reply to Question No. 126 of 7 July 2016, the management of the development concerned is primarily a matter for Kildare County Council in the first instance, and I have no function in the matter.
However, as outlined previously, I understand from Kildare County Council that the securing of a satisfactory conclusion to the development of the site in question has been a particular focus of the Council’s efforts over the last number of years. On foot of arbitration procedures, Kildare County Council successfully completed an agreement with one of two site owners, relating to the provision of roads infrastructure to service the town centre site. The arbitration case relating to the second site owner remains to be heard by the Property Arbitrator, the hearing of which is not scheduled to take place until April 2017, due to the Property Arbitrator’s caseload. In parallel with these arbitration cases, the Council has also been involved in ongoing discussions with the owner of the town centre site, and his agents, with a view to advancing development of the site as early as possible.
With relevant processes underway involving NAMA and arbitration, it would be inappropriate for me as Minister to become involved or make any further comment on the matter.
