David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My comments were constructive. It is unfortunate that the Minister has strayed somewhat, but I will keep my comments in line with a constructive debate.

I agree with everything that Senator Cummins stated, including his comments on the recent announcements of investments for Waterford, which are to be welcomed. No one would accuse him or anyone from his party of not doing the right thing by Waterford as they see it. That is not the charge that I have made. People make up their own minds about what they believe is best for the cities and counties they represent.

There are issues of balance. I have made up my mind on the basis of my genuine concerns, which are shared by Fianna Fáil Members and people who live in the city and county. We will just have to wait and see how they play out. If the merger proceeds, I will be constructive and work with the new local authority to the best of my ability. Of that, the Minister can have no doubt.

No one is arguing for the status quo. We need to change. If we are to be honest, the spatial strategy did not work for the south east because Waterford city did not perform as a gateway city to the extent that it should have. I am sure the Minister will agree that, if the south east is to grow, develop and improve economically, it must have a capital, a hub, an engine. That is Waterford city. As Senator Cummins stated, we need more investment and, critically, jobs. It is in the latter respect that the enterprise agencies will play a large role. There are some positive aspects to local government taking on more responsibility for economic development. There is something good in what the Minister is doing.

The Minister referred to irresponsible planning in Waterford. I do not accept that was the case in Waterford city. In fact, it was criticised for holding the line throughout the madness of the Celtic tiger years while other local authorities did not. As the Minister knows, we encountered difficulties with the neighbouring authorities. This issue could and should have been addressed through regional development, which I accept the Minister stated. The regional development process could have had more responsibility for integrated regional spatial strategies, retail strategies, etc.

This is not a question of sentimentality about boundaries or the expansion of Waterford city. I would not support anything based on sentiment. It must be what is best for the people living in an area. Waterford city is the economic engine. A city needs to expand naturally, but it is being prevented from doing so, in that it will not be able to manage some of the services in a number of areas in south Kilkenny.

I know it is difficult for the Minister to accept this given that, as he said, he represents Kilkenny and is a county colours man. I proudly wear the Waterford jersey and the Minister proudly wears the Kilkenny jersey but I also think regionally. It is important for us to think regionally. I agree with the Minister that there has not been the level of co-operation in the south east that there should have been. The Minister might be aware that when I took up my position as a member of the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation I drafted a report on economic development for the south east.