Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for outlining the process. I have learned from responses that when I hear from a State agency something is a priority, that tends to mean some time in the next five years. If I am told it is an urgent priority, it might be within two years and an imminent priority is sometime within 12 months. I appreciate and understand the processes as the Minister of State has outlined, but if we are to achieve our objective of delivering houses for people within communities near where they want to live, we have to ensure the water and wastewater infrastructure is in place.

I hope we will see a significant announcement of investment in Uisce Éireann as part of the budget today but it is important it spends that money efficiently and effectively and we see a resolution for communities like those I mentioned. I passionately believe people should be able to live in the villages and communities where they have grown up and where they work, but if we do not supply the water and wastewater infrastructure that will not be possible.