Bill to allow IDA property co-investment reaches Seanad

Legislation enabling IDA Ireland to co-invest with third parties on regional enterprise property projects has progressed to Second Stage in the Seanad.

Introducing the Industrial Development (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2026, the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, stated that the Bill has completed its passage through the Dáil.

The legislation amends the Industrial Development Act 1995 to permit IDA Ireland to co-invest in projects with external partners. Under current rules, the agency can only invest by itself, though it collaborates with local authorities and other bodies. Once enacted, the IDA will be authorised to partner with external organisations to deliver enterprise property solutions in regional locations, subject to terms approved by the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.

The Bill also amends the Industrial Development Act 1986 to introduce a dedicated environmental aid grant, allowing development agencies to assess projects solely on carbon emissions criteria. In addition, it provides statutory backing for enterprise agencies to fund external consultancy services for digital and green transitions, and aligns the individual threshold for technology acquisition grants to €7.5 million before specific Government approval is required.

Further miscellaneous provisions include changes to the safety regime governing the storage of flammable liquids, amendments to the Chemicals Act 2008 concerning EU detergent rules, and an extension of Health and Safety Authority board terms from three to five years.