Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for being here. I have lived and worked in St. Michael's in Inchicore all my life. For the past 18 years I have been hearing about the plan for the regeneration of St. Michael's estate. I have been a member of the board of St. Michael's for the past eight years. On numerous occasions plans have been brought to the table and rejected. The plan recently abandoned, a public private partnership in conjunction with McNamara Construction, had brought great hope to people. People thought they were finally going to get homes they could live in, that they would be part of a community, and that they would have facilities that were badly needed. It would bring a new beginning and, above all, a new social agenda. People living in the community need to be re-educated, to participate in programmes for working in the community, and to have homework clubs. It was to be the start of a new life.

Yesterday a shock wave went through our community. The hopes and dreams not only of those living in St. Michael's estate but also those in the wider community of Inchicore were shattered. Through the years, Inchicore has put up with many problems, including at one stage the closure of many shops due to the huge drug problem in the area. Things have since improved and at this stage people are seeing light at the end of the tunnel. However, yesterday the project was again put on the back burner. I am not here this evening to blame the board, Dublin City Council, the developer or even the Government. I am here to request sincerely that the Government consider this issue. It is now time to make a decision for those people who have remained in St. Michael's estate for the last number of years, some of them in quite difficult conditions. If it were not for the fact that Dublin City Council has improved living conditions in St. Michael's to a certain extent I dread to think what it would be like.

I believe the project, which was started two years ago, is not lost and that there is a chance it can be completed. I want this to happen, as do the people living in Inchicore and the residents of St. Michael's estate. I want the Government to honour the commitment that has been given to the residents of St. Michael's estate to improve their lifestyle, to go forward together and to give them a new vision of what regeneration is about — a new life and a new beginning. The Government needs to step in and support the regeneration project. It should support the board and those in the community who have played a major part in the project. I am not here to roar and shout but to request on behalf of those living in St. Michael's estate and Inchicore that this project, which is so badly needed, be revitalised and that the Government step in and take the issue seriously. I am fed up coming into this Chamber with requests under Standing Order 32 that are rejected. This is a matter of national importance and I seek the Minister of State's reassurance that something will be done for all of us who have put in so much work in the area.

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