Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and Senators for contributing to the debate. I will start with a rebuttal. Senator Marie-Louise O’Donnell made a good play for the next Taoiseach’s 11 nominees to the Seanad. I am sure it is secure after her performance earlier. I know she likes to call me the amateur actor. In fairness, when it comes to her, I certainly am, as she surely is the professional in that regard. Although she is not present, I know she will not mind me having those few words.

I gave the Minister of State the example of Sligo. Will he confirm with Irish Water that it is scaling back necessary schemes there? Sligo city will not have any spare capacity for the 70 acre industrial park which IDA Ireland is building there.The same applies to the 1,000 people on the housing list and, of course, to private housing demand. The Minister of State said that the population is increasing. I agree with him, provided the population is not in Sligo. He had better ask Senators O'Keeffe and Comiskey and Deputies McLoughlin and Perry about that because I am sure they are anxious to have a little population growth through natural causes. What about performing to our potential? My information about Irish Water is that it is scaling back all over the country because it does not have the money to function. In terms of the raw sewage being poured into the river at Carrick-on-Suir, I agree. Can anyone imagine-----