John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. Obviously the national development plan is exceptionally important for my own city of Waterford. The ambition in Project Ireland 2040 to drive population growth within the south-east region and to have balanced regional development and interconnectivity between the regions is of critically importance. I heard Senator Malcolm Byrne speak about Rosslare port and an essential part of that is the N24 link between Limerick, the mid-west region, the south-east region and onwards to Rosslare port. It is one of the worst national primary routes in the country. The Minister has his own interests in terms of the Limerick to Cork connection but the Waterford to Limerick connection is of critical importance to both regions. In fact, it will connect the western seaboard across to the south east and link all five cities.

The Government has earmarked €110 million for the urban regeneration and development fund for the North Quays project in Waterford. There has been very significant development across retail, apartments, office space and a transport interchange at the area. Therefore, we need to see the project further developed along with investment in the new technological university in the south east and further investment in the University Hospital Waterford. I will converse with the Minister separately on those projects and thank him for his interest in balanced regional development, which is very important.