Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I wish to comment first on a comment by Deputy Doherty regarding my colleague, Deputy Ardagh, and her non-attendance in the Chamber. Deputy Ardagh is not here; we do not know why she is not here. I do not think anybody should be commenting on that. I have tabled a question for the Tánaiste on defence in the afternoon and I cannot be here because I am attending my uncle's funeral. I do not, therefore, think any of us should be judge and jury on that.

I acknowledge the Government's continued efforts to meet housing targets and strengthen our national infrastructure. One key issue we are facing, especially in the midlands, is the need to upgrade our electricity grid to support new housing and developments. We know that transformers and other critical components are not necessarily in short supply right now, but they are being ordered and manufactured globally. If peace were to emerge in places like Ukraine and Palestine, as we hope, global demand for these infrastructural goods will increase sharply. Will the Government act now and secure orders to invest in future-proofing our grid? Can the Tánaiste provide an upgrade on any promised legislation and policy to accelerate these upgrades in line with our housing ambitions?

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