Land Development Agency

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 October 2019

Wednesday, 23 October 2019

Ceisteanna (222)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

222. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his views on a recent report that the Land Development Agency may be bound by EU state aid rules which may inhibit the agency responding to the housing and homelessness emergency. [43764/19]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

My Department’s approach, based on advice to date, is that the economic functions of the Land Development Agency (LDA) do not give rise to an advantage either to the LDA or other parties under State Aid rules. The General Scheme of the Land Development Agency Bill 2019 was developed taking account of legal advice in relation to State Aid.  

The European Commission was informed at the time of the establishment of the Land Development Agency in 2018.  A structured engagement with the European Commission will take place in tandem with the legislative process, supported by necessary information on the LDA.  This structured engagement is consistent with the approach taken in relation to other commercial state bodies and reflects the specific nature of the LDA.