Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Despite an upswing in capital expenditure, Ireland lags behind the other EU-15 nations in critical infrastructural projects. The recent Irish Fiscal Advisory Council report underscores this, particularly in addressing the housing crisis, requiring the construction of 170,000 homes, which is six times what will be built this year, for Ireland to reach the EU-15 average. Political manoeuvres and potential job changes may be in progress, but the Government's significant failure to overhaul planning processes is impeding residential construction. Employment in the construction sector fell by 65% from 236,000 in 2007 to 83,400 in 2012 after Fianna Fáil and the Green Party crashed the economy. In the 2000s, Ireland was building up to 90,000 homes a year. This was done by a construction workforce. However, in 2023 despite an increased construction workforce of approximately 169,000, it is clear that we do not have enough people working in the sector. The anticipated housebuilding is noticeably lower than it needs to be, laying bare systematic issues.

When we talk about infrastructure projects, there needs to be a fair share of the money spent all over Ireland and not just in specific places. The N71 and the R586 are two main roads leading into west Cork, but they have not had a brown cent spent on them. Those responsible are not even filling potholes - they have even given up on that. There is not a passing bay. Two bypasses in Bandon have lain idle for 20 or 30 years. The Innishannon bypass lies idle. They just forgot about it. The Bantry bypass is lying idle. Why is the money not being spend fairly around the country and not turning your back on it.

The previous speaker, Deputy McGrath, spoke about sewerage systems. Raw sewage is pouring into the seas and instead we chase the poor farmer. Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens are doing a very good job at getting the farmer out of business. That poor unfortunate is crucified by the Government while raw sewage is going down into the sea. We need a fair distribution of the funds. I look at places around Clonakilty where the sewerage systems are in an appalling condition. If we do not do something for these people, we will have water that is contaminated. It is not being contaminated by the farmers but by the local authorities.

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