John Paul Phelan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Many of the members, Deputy Calleary mostly, have spoken about the glaring lack of interconnectivity within Ireland. In my region, the south east, there is a road between the south east and Cork, which is a very busy road but in some parts it is a glorified cow path to be perfectly honest. The same case could be made up the west coast of Ireland. If we were serious about creating a counter-balance to the activity in Dublin - while not diminishing Dublin - there are obvious things about which we need to make a case. The final point I wish to make relates to the fourth key area in respect of water and wastewater. Professor Clinch made the point that infrastructural investment is a long-term project and must commence today and that the council supports a funding model that delivers an adequate funding stream for public water services and is consistent with the user-pays principle. The council is saying in the nicest possible way that water charges in some shape or form should -----