Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have talked about building houses, and I know some of them are being built off-site at the moment. We are struggling to get youngsters into a lot of the wet trades. We are struggling to get mechanics as well. One upon a time, you used a spanner to fix a tractor; nowadays, it is a computer. It is totally different. The training is totally different from what it was at one time. You need part of both, but the computer identifies all the problems now. With the way the technology has changed, we need a lot of youngsters to do the learning. Some of the mechanics who were trained up under the old system are more reluctant to have a go at it, to be honest. We need the mechanical side of it because obviously we need transport going, but we also need people in the wet trades, including plastering and all of that, if we are talking about building houses.

All I will say is that in my opinion, the proposed site is an ideal one. I would love for the process to be pushed on. I thank the Minister for his engagement so far and I hope he keeps his finger on the pulse. It is not just me; it is every representative in Roscommon and, in fairness, east Galway. They are all together on this.

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