Joe Neville (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his appointment. He is very experienced across the board and has made a great contribution in the past to the Oireachtas, the Parliament and to his own constituency. In fairness, he is perfectly positioned to use that experience in this new committee. I am very conscious that this is a new committee with a new remit and a wide scope. It is so important. The Cathaoirleach spoke about the broad spectrum of issues facing the country.

Our population has grown significantly all across the country, especially on the eastern seaboard. This has brought challenges with it. Although there has been economic prosperity, we must put the infrastructure in place. I see this in Kildare North. Deputy Cronin spoke to this issue as well. We are from the same constituency. The population in Kildare North has increased significantly. The population of the county has increased from 100,000 to 246,000 in the last 25 years. It has grown faster than anywhere else. At the same time, I have seen the impacts of this population growth. The key issues we can talk about in this context include the likes of a second bridge in Celbridge or the extension of the DART+ West to Kilcock. It is also about the playgrounds and community centres. These are also all key infrastructure items we need to ensure we can deliver. While we are obviously going to be focused on Uisce Éireann, EirGrid, the NTA and TII, I am glad the Cathaoirleach mentioned the local authorities, because they have a key role in delivering the infrastructure we require for housing.

From the national perspective, I was a financial controller in Dublin Airport as well. It is a key infrastructural element nationally. While we can use our local areas for examples, I think the examples I might use from Kildare North would be mirrored across the country. Other people will be the same. We must, therefore, look at our national infrastructure because, ultimately, this new committee, the new Department and the new national development plan will be a key focus for the Government and all politicians for the next five years. We have a real responsibility as a group in this regard. Ultimately, this Department and the delivery of this plan is a key responsibility. As I said at the start, with this growth in population we need to deliver for the people of the country. As someone who was a councillor for many years and at the forefront of these issues, I am glad to have the opportunity to be a part of this committee. I am also on the Committee of Public Accounts, which is obviously very important, but being on this infrastructure committee is key. I am delighted to have the opportunity to serve with the Chair on this committee. I thank him. I am looking forward to the years ahead and to working with all the other members.