John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response, for recognising the importance of this project to Waterford and the south east and for acknowledging the work of our former colleague, Paudie Coffey, designating the site as a strategic development zone. The work of many people over the past number of years has brought this project to where it is now. I wish to record my thanks to each and every one of them for not giving in or saying that the project was going to fail, as many people have suggested. I again stress the importance and urgency of funding to Waterford City and County Council for the enabling infrastructure for the site. We have heard positive, reassuring words, and the €30 million the Minister of State mentioned was ring-fenced by the NTA for the project, rather than the URDF. However, there is a commitment in the Department to make this happen for Waterford and the south east. I urge the Minister of State to convey to the Department the urgency of finalising the funding arrangements for the project.