Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is very important to state that it is extremely unlikely that this project would get over the line without State funding. I welcome what the Minister of State has said, which is that the overall URDF will increase for 2020 and that it is expected that large integrated multi-annual urban projects will comprise a greater element of future overall allocations. However, we have to look at where we came from. As the Minister of State said, we were ahead of the pack on this. Mr. Michael Walsh and Waterford City and County Council had plans in place. When considering the amount of money that was allocated, one has to look at the overall picture and at the catalyst the north quays will be for the whole south-east region. We look at the likes of Cork, Limerick and Galway, which are already doing very well. This absolute game changer of a project has to be recognised.

Some €13 million is required in 2019 to start the process and a commitment of €30 million is required for each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Much of the infrastructure development that will be involved in this project would have had to come in the future anyway. What this project is doing is accelerating that hugely important infrastructure and increasing the connectivity between the north and the south of the city. Sustainable transport infrastructure is the essence of this project and development of this site can and will act as a catalyst for the city and county of Waterford. The employment opportunities, housing opportunities, and health opportunities cannot be underestimated. We are constantly talking about cardiac care in Waterford and about a university for the south east. This north quays development will act as a catalyst for all these things because it will lead to population growth and to Waterford and the south east acting as a release valve for the overcrowding in Dublin. To reiterate, in order to sign contracts and move forward, we need a timeframe, certainty, and commitment.

See this speech in context