David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. I highlight again, however, that these applications were submitted in February, some four months ago now. I am told that some clarifications were required regarding the applications, but it is still strange that it is taking this long for approval to be given. This is another delay, and I hope the process will be completed soon. What does "shortly" mean? Does it refer to weeks, months or whatever? Perhaps the Minister of State might use her good offices to make this happen.

I will restate the other issues I raised that the Minister of State did not respond to. I refer to the Irish Water constraints. These are of great concern. Again, hopefully, the people in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage will ensure that the work is done. It should be done much faster than it is being stated it will be. Anyway, it is supposed to be finished by the end of 2023, which will give people a target if they wish to build houses in the area.

The situation with the N25 concerns me a great deal. I spoke to people in the local authority and they are worried that all these ambitious targets the Minister talks about in the area, including the local infrastructure housing activation fund, LIHAF, etc., may not be realised because of the constraints impacting the N25 road infrastructure. It is already at capacity and under pressure, and dangerous as I said already. I was disappointed that the Department of the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, decided to pull the plug on that project, having spent €1.2 million on feasibility studies and consultants etc., to come up with a preferred route option.

These are important issues. People are crying out for housing, as we know. It is the number one issue in all our constituencies and there is an opportunity to address the issue in my area. We have the rail network to Midleton, which is fantastic. When that was established, the agreement with the county council was that the land on all sides would be zoned to make it feasible to have the population density to make this rail line work. The track is soon going to be electrified and trains will be coming to east Cork every 15 minutes, which is fantastic. If we cannot build houses, though, because of these other constraints, then we are going to be in trouble. Therefore, I again ask the Minister of State to use her good offices to get this process moving.

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