Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)

I welcome the infrastructure cross-departmental committee, the housing activation office and the child poverty unit - tús maith leath na hoibre. I think we can do better and can aim higher. We owe that to the people of this country after their endurance and forbearance over the last five years. Several times at the Business Committee, I have raised the topic of migration, something that merits urgent positioning on the agenda. We can take County Meath, for example and crosscheck what has been happening versus what is in the programme for Government. That programme commits to "Give greater lead-in time to the opening of new facilities, allowing for enhanced and effective local communication... meaningful consultation with local communities and plan more effectively." A simple let-down in that process, which is what is playing out, is causing tensions in the area. I would see that as a priority area for inter- and intra-departmental communication.

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