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

Why in a year of plenty have our rural towns and villages suffered at the Minister's hands? I have highlighted so many times that there is a need for investment in basic services, such as water and sewerage plants. Let our people have houses and progress the building plan in the areas affected. Builders cannot provide homes where there are no basic services. It is not that hard to understand. Askeaton has been waiting 33 years for a sewerage system to be upgraded. Foynes and Glin are in the same category. In Dromcollogher, there is sewage going into the river. This is not what I want. I want infrastructure. In Oola, houses cannot be built. Hospital got 26 houses but six have their own sewerage facilities on site because there was no capacity. This is what I am talking about. If we build sewerage and water infrastructure in these places, we can build houses, which in turn support all businesses and schools across the network. That is the investment I am talking about. Askeaton has been waiting for 33 years and there is sewage flowing straight into the Shannon. That is not the only place. The River Deel has also been polluted. That is where I want investment.

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