David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister of State for his response, which cites better alignment and prioritisation of scarce infrastructural investment, better governance locally and in the region, and the promotion of more sustainable patterns of development. It does not deal with the critical ingredients we need, such as positive discrimination by the enterprise agencies, their performance for the region and what they must do. National enterprise policies must also reflect what the national spatial strategy was designed to do, which is deliver for all the regions. The response does not deal with the need for increased educational infrastructure and, more critically, university facilities.

The Minister of State might indicate to the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the real concern arising from Galway as a gateway city retaining its single authority in Galway City Council. It appears the Government does not want to compromise the gateway status of Galway but it is seeking to merge the two authorities in Waterford. That would potentially compromise the gateway status of Waterford city. At a time when the region and city are underperforming, we must be very conscious of decisions taken by the Government which could make matters worse.