Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We all realise how lucky we have been to have corporation tax income but the fact is that some of it is windfall revenue and cannot be relied on. Everybody understands the idea of putting money away for a rainy day but I will hardly be the first person to say that unfortunately it is raining for a lot of people at this point in time.

I do not see how Sinn Féin could in any way support the future Ireland fund and the infrastructure, climate and nature fund unless they are because they could hamstring future Ministers of future Governments with regard to being able to spend money where it needs to be spent. We all know the advantages of the funds and many have spoken about how capital infrastructure can lead to growth. We know what we need as regards housing. We know the advantages that roads and rail have had in certain places. We know what needs to be done with regard to hospitals and educational buildings. We all know the issues around schools and that some of the planning has not necessarily been done into the future.

We are talking about housing, about which many claims have been made over the last while. I will speak about Louth County Council's affordable purchase scheme and Cois Farraige on the Old Golf Links Road in Blackrock. Even though extra time was allowed, only five of the 26 applicants qualified for the scheme. Louth County Council stated that the criteria in the Government's scheme were the issue. This needs to be looked at. In Dundalk and County Louth in general, a price of €305,000 is not affordable for a lot of people.

Like many others, I believe we need to look at Uisce Éireann and developments. I have spoken to the Minister many times about the damage done by flooding in north Louth, which showed up the issues we have in Dundalk. My experience is similar to Deputy Gould's experience. We have been dealing with brown water for a considerable period. It is caused by manganese. Uisce Éireann has promised a pilot scheme which will, I hope, find a solution. I have been asking for updates on that. I would like an update for the people in the Bay Estate, who are my neighbours, and in all of the estates off Tom Bellew Avenue where there is an issue with water pressure. We were told these homes do not have the correct valve that can determine demand fluctuations. At times, the water pressure drops below 1.5 bar, sometimes to 1.1 bar. That impacts people in terms of shower use and people are spending a huge amount of money. I have been told this will be completed by quarter 2, which could mean June, but I need to follow up. I have submitted requests.

The Minister will not be shocked to hear me ask him if he has any information about the possibility of providing a funding scheme for farmers in north County Louth who experienced damage due to flooding. I know Teagasc has been out and has carried out surveys on farms. If it is possible for the Minister to go slightly off topic to give some information on that, Councillor Antóin Watters and I would be delighted. I could go on.

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