Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the remarks of Mr. Rogers. I agree with him 100% in respect of the idea of a retail manager. He referred to the significant work that has been done in Waterford. I commend Michael Walsh and his team there. I point out that Waterford is the oldest city in the country. In the context of incentives for doing up buildings, there is a particular problem in Waterford as much of the commercial heartland is made up of very old stock. Many of the premises are listed buildings and for many retailer it is just not economically viable to take on that task. Government policy comes very much to the fore in this regard in terms of infrastructure, planning and access. That is a problem for all towns, villages and cities.

Beyond that, one of the other problems in my city of Waterford is the whole viability of every sector. They are totally dependent on good value jobs. There is a far deeper national conversation to be had about the importance of having vibrant jobs. One can see from areas such as Kildare and south Dublin how that drives investment and consumption.

I wish to reflect the positivity that has been referenced this morning. The idea of a group stakeholder forum is very important but it must have teeth. Deputy Bruton addressed the issue of rents, landlords and so on. That is one of the issues that has to be tackled from a financial point of view and it is the prerogative of the Department of Finance to consider that. That is where we need to go. We need to ensure there is high-level access to the Ministers and try to get three or four key incentives or initiatives off the ground. If we can do that, it will certainly go some way towards addressing the issue of rents and rates, as well as the need, referenced by Mr. Rogers, to keep employee supports going in the sector for another while in order to allow people to get back to a viable footing. I will give full and wholesome support to that, as, I am sure, will the committee. It is the best way of securing well-paid jobs and employee conditions.