Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister here today to discuss this all-important Bill. It is very important because it is about future-proofing. It is not just for us, it is for our children and our children's children. It is looking to the future. The fact is that while finances are good we are looking at putting away money so that in the future if any recessions or other events occur there will be no slowdown in State services. That is very important.

Everybody talks about the current housing crisis, which is a fact, but we are turning it around, whereas if we go back to the last recession, social housing slowed down and then it stopped altogether. We must avoid slippages like that in the future because our population is expanding quickly and we must make sure that we can continue with State services even if we do not have the finances, and there is a recession. The fact is that the Minister is putting away the money, but also there is a watchdog in the sense that he must go to the Dáil if he wants to spend it, and also if he has to put a stop to the finances being put into the fund.

When we look at it, it is not just about housing, it is about health, infrastructure, and also about climate. We are all very aware of how important that is at this time and how we must future-proof. For some years Ireland has lagged behind and now we are playing catch-up. We are bringing in a lot of very important measures. People are moving to electric cars and solar panels. We see that more and more when we are out canvassing. Even in rural areas we see that more people are making that change. It is about incentivising, but it is also about the provision of resources to help people to do it. That is why the fund is so important.

I compliment the current and previous Governments on the fact that we have the resources to future-proof the future. That is a very good position to be in. I am certain that not every country is in that position in terms of Exchequer funds and the amount of companies that are now looking to Ireland. We can use those resources and that money and put a certain amount of it into the fund to protect our future. Many children that are still in primary school will appreciate what the Government is doing, and what the Minister is doing to protect their future.

Given the population growth, people are looking for the provision of playgrounds and measures to help the environment, but also for infrastructure such as roads and hospitals. The situation in University Hospital Limerick is not due to a lack of resources from the Government. A review is going on at the moment to see if another hospital is needed in the area. The fund may be about providing money for projects like that down the line. It need not necessarily be just Limerick, it could be in any part of the country. It is very important that we protect our future.I compliment the Minister and his officials on these prudent and meaningful measures. I wish the Bill all the best.