Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the urgency attached to it, which I mentioned. Urban regeneration reaches into other Departments because the core of regeneration is trying to get our five cities and large towns to unlock their potential.That is a key part of the national planning framework. I am working on this issue in the Department to ensure it is realised and delivered in communities.

The work of Senator Cummins when he was Mayor of Waterford, with the former Minister of State, Paudie Coffey, to designate this area of the city as a special development zone was key to unlocking its potential. This would not be possible were it not for the initiative at that time. It is great to see that we have a very firm commitment from the local authority. Its chief executive, Michael Walsh, is doing great work as well. I have been in contact with him in my role as Minister of State with responsibility for local government. He played a key role in the County and City Management Association, CCMA, in recent months.

I look forward to the project coming to fruition. I thank Senator Cummins for his excellent work and representation on the matter. It is very important that the Government progress such projects because they are so important. I cannot underline that enough. If we want to allow cities to unlock and reach their potential, the URDF will be central in doing that. I again thank the Senator for raising this matter in the Commencement debate.