Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have been a building contractor all my life. I started in building early and I am still in building.

When I see the Housing for All plan for 2030, I reflect, as I told Government Deputies earlier, that the only reason they are trying to amend planning laws for one-off houses is that the electorate came and told them they had better not show their faces at the doors again. That is why they listened, but they have not been listening for years. I have been in discussions with Irish Water for the past 12 months or more. Its representatives tell me that, in towns and villages in areas of Limerick, they will upgrade the existing system but not allow extra capacity. Do not fool the people of Limerick. We want extra capacity.

I have planning permissions coming out my ears regarding Oola and they cannot get extra capacity. They are told it will be upgraded but with no extra capacity. Askeaton has been waiting for 33 years. Irish Water has it since 2013 and still has not sorted the problem. Now it says it will be by 2025, but with no extra capacity.

I can build houses in Kilmallock or Croom. When I come to Croom, 56 houses are being held up by a document that only Irish Water can sign to say there will be water there by 2023. I have questioned its representatives in the housing committee. They told me they will get back to me directly. There is a meeting tomorrow. They are holding up 56 houses for me to house people in County Limerick. Housing for All is countryside, rural areas, towns and villages, not just cities or towns that have capacity. All of County Limerick has to be supported and funded, not just where there is capacity.

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