Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 8 Apr 2003

Vol. 564 No. 5

Local Government (No. 2) Bill 2003 [ Seanad ] : Second Stage.

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I move:

"That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

I thank the Opposition for facilitating the debate on this legislation at this time.

This is a short technical Bill which provides for the continued application of Part IV of the Local Government Act 1946 in relation to certain applications for bridge orders which authorise the construction of bridges. The Bill provides that Part IV continue to apply and be deemed always to have applied to an application for a bridge order made to and being processed by the Minister for the Environment and Local Government prior to the repeal of that Part and to a bridge order made subsequently on foot of such application. Transitional provisions to deal with such cases were not included in the Local Government Act 2001.

On the basis of the advice available, it was considered that an application already made and processed and in respect of which a public inquiry had been held, could be brought to completion and final determination under Part IV. On this basis a bridge order was made earlier this year in respect of the proposed new Waterford city bridge to be constructed upstream from the existing city bridge as part of the N25 city bypass. However, subsequent legal advice, obtained in the course of the preparation of the State's defence in a court action con cerning navigation rights on the river, raised concerns as to the soundness of an order in these circumstances. The aim of the Bill is, therefore, to remedy any deficiency which may apply by providing for the continued application of Part IV in any such transitional case.

The bridge in question will, when constructed, be the fourth bridge to be built over the River Suir at Waterford. The first bridge, known as Old Timber Toes, was built more than 200 years ago in 1793 by Lemuel Cox. This was replaced in 1913 by Redmond Bridge. The third bridge at the same location, known as the Rice Bridge, was opened to traffic in October 1984. The need for a second crossing of the River Suir at Waterford was first mooted in the 1960s. It was first included in the city council's development plan almost 30 years ago, in 1974.

The national primary route, N25, connects Cork to the port of Rosslare, via Waterford City. The existing route through Waterford city passes along the congested city quays and crosses the River Suir over an opening span bridge, the only bridge crossing for motor traffic in the city. The average daily traffic flow across Rice Bridge is 36,500 vehicles, with week day flows in excess of 40,000 vehicles a regular occurrence. The need for a Waterford city bypass and second river crossing has been identified in the development plans of the three relevant local authorities Waterford City Council, Waterford County Council and Kilkenny County Council.

The objective of the N25 Waterford bypass is to provide a bypass of Waterford city for through traffic while catering for the needs of the city. The planned scheme extends from west of Kilmeaden in County Waterford to east of Slieverue in County Kilkenny. The route crosses the River Suir at Granny, close to the location of the existing N24/N9 junction to the north-west of Waterford city, thus providing Waterford with a second major bridge over the Suir and allowing traffic on the N25 Cork-Rosslare route to bypass the city. Overall the scheme comprises approximately 23 km of all-purpose dual carriageway and approximately 4 km of single carriageway construction. There is an additional 11 km of side roads and tie-ins. The Suir bridge element, to which this Bill relates, is approximately 475 metres in length.

The N25 Waterford bypass scheme has been developed by Waterford City Council as lead local authority. The project management of the scheme has been carried out by the Tramore House Regional Design Office which carries out design and project management for national road projects in the counties in the south-east. The N25 scheme is also consistent with the national spatial strategy published in December 2002. Waterford is one of nine gateways identified in the strategy. Provision of a second River Suir crossing will be an important factor in delivering on a number of the key aims of the national spatial strategy for the south-east region.

It should be noted that the N25 Waterford bypass scheme was also the subject of an environ mental impact statement prepared pursuant to the Roads Act 1993, as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000. The EIS was approved by An Bord Pleanála subject to modifications last October. The proposed new bridge and the N25 bypass of which it is a crucial part is significant not only to Waterford city and county but also to Kilkenny, the south-east region as a whole and far beyond. It is an essential part of our national infrastructure. The House will appreciate, therefore, the importance which attaches to safeguarding the bridge order by the passage of this Bill. I thank the House for facilitating its passage.

Mr. McCormack

The Fine Gael Party welcomes construction of the new bridge over the River Suir in Waterford. It is badly needed infrastructure in that area. If the first bridge was known as Old Timber Toes and was built in 1793, it is time Waterford acquired a second bridge.

In 1997, the then Taoiseach, Deputy John Bruton, gave the go-ahead for the consultant's report on this bridge. Despite the six year delay since then, we welcome this legislation and I am glad Deputy Bruton is in the House to see the result of his foresight when he was Taoiseach in 1997. Commissioning the consultant's report was the first phase in getting the bridge constructed. The Minister acknowledged that it is 30 years since the bridge was first included in the Waterford city development plan. At last we have reached the stage where the bridge will be built.

This bridge order was necessary before work could proceed. The Minister was a little premature in announcing it, although it was probably hard for him to resist the temptation to announce in his constituency that the bridge would be built even before the bridge order was passed in the Dáil. However, that is a technical matter. The bridge order will be passed by the Dáil so work on the bridge can proceed.

In Galway, the Quincentennial Bridge was built in Galway's quincentennial year and it made a significant difference to traffic in the city. Rather than traffic having to go through the city it can bypass it to a certain extent. The same will apply with the new bridge in Waterford. Already the Quincentennial Bridge is outdated, however, because the volume of traffic has increased so much that an extra bridge will be required in Galway. The city is waiting for the finance for the outer bypass route, which will include another bridge across the Corrib near Glenloe Abbey. It got money this year for site investigation works but those works will not turn a sod, except to see what is beneath. No money has yet been allocated for work on the outer bypass road, which will include another bridge across the River Corrib.

Galway is in a similar situation to Waterford. I am surprised that there has not been more pressure in Waterford for such a bridge.

Mr. J. Bruton

There has been plenty of pressure, believe me. I have the scars on my back from having visited the city for years.

Mr. Cullen

So have we all.

Mr. J. Bruton

One can never visit Waterford without hearing about the bridge.

Mr. McCormack

I wish to share my time with Deputy Deasy and Deputy John Bruton.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Is that agreed? Agreed. There are eleven minutes left in the speaking slot.

Mr. McCormack

Altogether?

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

Yes.

Mr. McCormack

In that case I will defer to the other Deputies. Deputy Deasy is from the area and, in 1997, Deputy John Bruton gave the go-ahead for the consultant's report for this bridge. I am glad he is here to contribute to the debate.

Mr. J. Bruton

I wish to contribute to this debate for a particular reason. The bridge is most welcome and will make a significant difference to traffic in Waterford city, which has been particularly difficult. As we all know, Waterford is a medieval city with a corresponding road structure, yet it is being asked to cope with 21st century traffic volumes. A new bridge is needed to divert some of that traffic from the overly-congested city centre. As somebody who is not from Waterford, one might ask what I am doing contributing to such a debate but I have a considerable interest in history. I note that on one occasion in the not too distant past, there was a bridge known as Redmond Bridge in Waterford. When the new bridge was being provided, the majority on the city council decided that they would – in what I would regard as a small-minded approach – withdraw the name of John Redmond from the bridge and replace it with somebody so uncontroversial that nobody would complain. Ignatius Rice was a man of distinction and I have no doubt that the people of Waterford and Ireland in general are rightly proud of him. It was unfortunate, however, that at that time in Waterford's history there was not the tolerant atmosphere there is now.

John Redmond was a great Irish patriot who devoted his life to the service of Ireland and to Waterford, in particular. He brought significant benefits to Waterford city during the first 18 years of the 20th century and previously from the time he became leader of the united Irish Party, after the healing of the Parnell split. Redmond was probably one of the most influential figures in politics in northern Europe because of the pivotal role he played in the House of Commons where, at times, the continued existence of the Government of the day depended upon the support of the disciplined Irish Party under his leadership. He used that role to promote home rule for Ireland, which he achieved. It is important to state that home rule was placed on the British statute book by John Redmond. We had obtained a substantial measure of independence in 1914, before the 1916 rising ever occurred. There are many who would argue that we might have done better to adhere to the peaceful path that John Redmond had set out for this nation and that we would have achieved as much in due course – perhaps not as quickly but without bloodshed. That is a matter of historical speculation, however.

It obviously was not the view of the majority in Waterford city when they decided they would not name the new bridge after John Redmond. As Waterford people, they were perhaps told that they should be ashamed of John Redmond, in some way, and that they should not name the bridge after him.

It would be wrong not to take this opportunity of ensuring that the contribution to public life of this great Irish patriot and man of peace is commemorated in the city he served so well. I know that, as a native of the south-east, you, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, will be interested in my final point. It is ironic that John Redmond is commemorated by a bust in Westminster, although he is not commemorated here in the assembly he did so much to bring about by peaceful means. We do not commemorate him in Leinster House but he is commemorated in an assembly he did not wish to be in—

Mr. Cullen

That is right.

Mr. J. Bruton

—but which he went to in order to win Irish independence. It is a pity that he is not commemorated in this House, as he ought to be. Be that as it may, we now have an opportunity to redress that wrongful omission by naming the additional bridge in Waterford after Redmond. As someone who is proud to call myself a Redmondite, I am pleased to advocate that this great man should be commemorated in an appropriate fashion.

Mr. Deasy

I do not have anything substantial to add to the debate. I appreciate the fact that the Minister contacted all of us at an early stage to explain the intricacies of the Bill. The Minister has acknowledged that some years ago my father brought Mr. Michael Tobin to the river when they were trying to find a suitable location for the second crossing. That was a long time ago. The Bill is a technical measure and it is neither partisan nor controversial.

In deference to the Minister – and I hope he will not mind me saying this – the people of Waterford city elected him, to a great extent, to improve the infrastructure in the urban area. He is trying to ensure that that happens and he deserves credit for the efforts he has made so far in this regard. There is always a song and dance being made about something in the House and people are not too keen to give credit where it is due. I am prepared to give the Minister credit, however, as far as this matter is concerned. We do have problems around the city of Waterford, including the airport and the plans for the motorway. In addition, the port always needs extra cash. I join with other Members in supporting the Bill. Let us get on with it and get the bridge up.

Mr. O'Shea

Tá áthas orm seans a fháil labhairt ar an díospóireacht ar an mBille seo, Bille atá gairid, teicniúil agus tábhachtach. Beidh Páirtí an Lucht Oibre ag tabhairt lán tacaíocht don mBille agus ní bheidh aon leasú á mholadh againn ar Chéim an Choiste.

I am pleased to have an opportunity of speaking in the debate on this Bill. Like Deputy Deasy, I compliment the Minister, Deputy Cullen, on the way in which he handled this legislation, particularly by contacting his colleagues in other parties to explain the background to it. In that way, we recognised how important the Bill was and we were able to pledge our full support for the measure and facilitate its early passage through the House.

Deputy Bruton raised the issue of renaming the new bridge as the Rice Bridge. The decision to name the bridge was taken a short time before I was elected to the city council but I have no recollection of people being ashamed of John Redmond. I never remember that issue being stated. At that time, I recall there was a strong push by the Christian Brothers, and locally, towards the canonisation of Br. Edmund Ignatius Rice, which may have had some influence on the matter. I certainly have no recollection, however, of anyone wanting to cast any aspersions on John Redmond and all that he stood for. As Deputy Bruton knows, the Redmondite tradition is an honoured and respected one.

Mr. J. Bruton

The Deputy gets some of those votes himself.

Mr. O'Shea

I am sure that Redmondite supporters of Fine Gael can be quite wise too, in other ways. Essentially, however, the Deputy is probably being a bit over-sensitive about this. At this point in the movement towards the new bridge it is not appropriate to become involved in a long debate about naming it. The Minister provided us with some of the historical details of the bridge. It is ironic to think that when Edmund Rice came from Callan in County Kilkenny in the latter part of the 18th century to take up employment in his uncle's business in Waterford, there was no bridge across the River Suir. I recall reading that he crossed the river in a boat. I also recall that there was a ford across the river at Grannagh – which is quite near to where the new bridge is to be constructed – which people paid to cross and there was another ford down river in the direction of Passage East. There is a good deal of history and linkages in that area, but we are now focusing on the future.

There is a traffic problem in Waterford city and there is a need to move the traffic along the N25 from Rosslare to Cork in a speedier fashion. I have a personal difficulty with the project in its totality. I made my case at the oral hearing on whether tolling should apply and I await the outcome of that hearing and the examiners' determination.

An issue related to the new bridge is the planned new high class dual carriageway from Kilcullen to Waterford. While this does not come under the remit of the Minister's Department, I am aware that he is interested in it and I have no doubt he is doing everything he can to move it along. The most difficult part of the Waterford to Kilcullen route is from Paulstown to Waterford city. With the manner in which this project is progressing, it appears that construction will start from the northern rather than from the southern end. This is another project to be borne in mind. Like the Minister, Deputy Cullen, I travel up and down that road every week. As one travels south from Paulstown, on through Gowran and Thomastown, one can get caught in convoys of traffic. I encountered that last week. A few trucks were at the top of a convoy of traffic and the traffic moved slowly for long stretches of the N9 into Waterford.

I do not intend to delay the passage of this Bill through the House and I assured the Minister, Deputy Cullen, of this privately and in the House. This legislation has the full support of the Labour Party and no amendments will be tabled to it. To facilitate the Government in moving forward this project, I will be as co-operative and helpful as possible.

Dr. Twomey

I wish to share my time with Deputies Boyle and Ó Caoláin.

An Leas-Cheann Comhairle

That is agreed.

Dr. Twomey

Any development that improves the traffic flow through Waterford city will be welcomed by the citizens of Waterford and the Deputies who represent them. As a public representative for County Wexford, I welcome these new roads, but I am also cautious about what is happening. Traffic in New Ross, which is regularly bottlenecked at rush hour, will only get worse when the ring road around Waterford city is completed. If a toll is applied to that ring road, that would probably make matters worse for New Ross because people would not be inclined to pay a toll to cross a bridge to come into Waterford city only to be delayed another hour crossing a bridge into New Ross.

The proposed bridge in New Ross is a substantial project even from the point of view of the National Roads Authority, which might not even have the necessary expertise to design and construct it. If the proposed bridge goes ahead to bypass New Ross, independent designers would need to be contracted to complete its design stage. I can only imagine what that would cost.

New Ross is in a strategic location in relation to the development of County Wexford. New Ross is on the N25 between Rosslare ferry port and Cork city. There is already substantial traffic, not only tourist traffic but freight traffic, on this route. If the flow of traffic is made easier – I take account of the complaints by Deputies representing Waterford to the effect that they would like traffic to move faster towards Dublin – this could disadvantage somewhere like Rosslare ferry port, if the proposed bridge for New Ross is not also taken into account in terms of the substantial project planned for Waterford city.

There is already a perception among the people of County Wexford that they are being disadvantaged in favour of Waterford. I acknowledge the Minister present is not the relevant Minister to deal with these matters. If the Waterford project moves ahead at the speed at which it appears it will proceed, it will make the situation worse for the traffic flow through New Ross, which would also affect the future prospects of Rosslare ferry port, which we consider has been very much underdeveloped.

While the Bill does not cover this matter, I take this opportunity to highlight the situation outside Waterford city and especially how such a proposed development will affect the people of south Wexford and the future development of Wexford in relation to Rosslare ferry port, which is a substantial and strategic link between this country and the British and European mainland.

Mr. Boyle

Given that I represent a city of 28 bridges, I do not begrudge Waterford its great and long-standing need of an additional bridge. Facilitating the Minister in passing this Bill through the House should not be taken, as other Deputies mentioned, as an acceptance of how access to the proposed bridge will be determined and how a decision on hard tolling or soft tolling in that regard will be determined after the oral hearing. The principle should be that if tolling is to be applied it should be to discourage heavy goods vehicles from coming into the urban area rather than to discourage people from using a ring road or bypass. My party would welcome clarity on Government thinking in relation to that.

Facilitating the passage of this Bill through the House should also not be taken as an indication of support for the type of roadways that will join the proposed bridge on either side. We are on record as saying that the need for motorway capacity on the national routes, as has been outlined by the national development plan, is open to question and is out of line with the national road needs survey. It is hoped that the bridge will be built and that the road infrastructure on either side of it would be appropriate to the traffic needs in the general area.

As regards facilitating a commercial route between the Cork Port and Rosslare Port, we would argue that there is already an infrastructure in place in terms of the rail link which is very under-utilised. In terms of relieving traffic congestion in and around Waterford city, improved Government policy in that area would be an advantage.

I would like to address a question raised by Deputy John Bruton concerning the naming of the proposed bridge in terms of the historical context in Waterford. When two new bridges were secured for Cork in recent years that issue was solved by naming them the Michael Collins Bridge and the Eamon de Valera Bridge, but I do not believe that option exists in Waterford. Whatever title is given to a bridge by the local authority, the people of the area tend to give it another name. The Christy Ring Bridge is another recent bridge built in Cork which is always referred to as the Opera House bridge. I suspect that is the type of moniker that will eventually be attached to the new bridge in Waterford.

The Bill will not be opposed by my party. We recognise the need for a new bridge in Waterford. I hope the Government will also take into account the need this bridge will generate for ensuring there is a proper and integrated approach to traffic management in the general south-east area.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

I am contributing to this debate in the absence of my colleague, Deputy Morgan, who cannot be here and in response to concerns raised by party colleagues and others in Waterford who have been in touch with our offices.

The construction of this proposed bridge, the second bridge over the River Suir, at Waterford is welcome. There is no doubt that the case for its necessity has long been established and I do not believe there will be any difference of opinion in that regard. However, I wish to register a concern. It is not only a cause of concern to people there but is echoed by others with a keen interest in infrastructural development, such as elected public representatives, the Automobile Association and others. The tolling of this bridge has already been mentioned.

The concerns expressed today indicate that on the one hand there is a tremendous need for this second bridge but that tolling it will act as a deterrent to those who would wish to use it and will affect the bridge's potential. To use the Waterford example, imposing a toll means imposing a further taxation. It is estimated that a family car costs €22,000 annually with vehicle registration, VAT on new cars, road tax, motor insurance and tax on petrol and diesel all going into Government coffers. Adding tolls for roads and bridges will have a further detrimental effect on the lives of ordinary people.

The Minister should clarify whether the Waterford city bypass, which includes the second crossing of the River Suir, is part of the national development plan. What is the level of funding from the European Structural Fund for this project? Is there a sustainable argument that this bridge could and should be funded from public sources rather than going into the private sector? There are also indications that the proposed new motorway is to bear a toll. Many people from the Minister's area could then face a double toll on a single journey from Dublin to Waterford if the bridge and the new motorway are both tolled.

I am not a supporter of this economic strategy. It will not relieve the current congestion. Instead by imposing a toll plaza, a further bottleneck will be created. Significant time is lost at such plazas where there is no fluid throughflow of traffic. We have all experienced such plazas in Ireland and overseas. They are impediments to the speedy throughput of traffic.

It is interesting that a number of Government spokespersons suggested the use of tolling in Dublin city centre and a proposed congestion charge, similar to that introduced in London, to deter traffic from the city centre. When one considers the contradiction in this proposition – that tolls or congestion charges be introduced as a means of dissuading drivers from coming into a certain area – that surely underscores my argument that tolling a bridge is a deterrent to people using that bridge.

Mr. Cullen

Not on the West-Link or East-Link. People are clamouring to get on them.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

That is down to people having little choice. One cannot get from the north of the city to the south without those facilities. If people were asked for a view in a vox pop or referendum on the issue they would not vote for this.

Mr. Cullen

We would all vote for no taxes.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

My position is articulated in the pre-general election manifesto I helped to craft. I believe in taxation – where it is justifiable, additional taxation measures should be introduced. However, I am not convinced by the argument for tolling. The Minister is more familiar with the Waterford area, where my information suggests this is not favoured by a significant section of opinion—

Mr. Cullen

It is. The vast majority of those polled in an independent poll—

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

According to my notes, my party colleagues in Waterford submitted to the National Roads Authority a petition opposing tolling with 5,000 signatures in April 2002. The Minister can correct me as I do not have hands-on information, but I understand all 15 city councillors, including the Minister's four Fianna Fáil colleagues, objected to tolling the bypass. That is on the record. The Minister was, I believe scathing about the position articulated by the 15 council members.

The fundamental difference between the Minister and I is reflected in his comments to The Irish Times of 5 November 2002: “There will not be a roads project going forward in the future anywhere that will not include tolling. This is a fact as we move forward.” That is not the case, as the Minister well knows. Tolls are being introduced, though not in all cases, and my argument is that they should not be introduced in any case. Is the premise behind tolling related to whether this is a profitable proposition in which the private sector can make a killing? I appeal to the Minister on this, as I have been tasked to do.

Because of the costs borne by the members of the Irish Road Hauliers Association they would be forced away from tolls. Tolls are a deterrent to its members. The AA's Conor Faughnan has put that organisation's view on record. It has come out against tolls, saying they are fundamentally flawed. Toll plazas are an impediment to the free throughput of traffic and the measure is counterproductive.

I welcome the bridge and look forward to using it sometime. However, I hope in the meantime the Minister sees that public funds should finance the project. There should not be a further imposition of tax on road users.

Mr. Wilkinson

I am glad to support the legislation. There is no doubt a bridge in Waterford is an absolute necessity. Cork, Meath and Wexford have had their say here but I stress the importance of this new road and bridge for west Waterford. On countless occasions we have been told that the lack of such facilities has stifled industry, impeded traffic through the county and resulted in people staying away from the city. The benefits of this bridge will be enormous to the city and county. I will not become involved in the naming argument. Many great patriots have not been honoured in this House. It would be wise to build the bridge first as I have no doubt the people of Waterford will find a suitable name for it. I do not want to speak at length as everything I wished to say has been said. I commend the Minister and the legislation. Speed the day that we have a new bridge in Waterford.

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Cullen)

I thank all the political parties and the Independents for facilitating and supporting the legislation. I thank, in particular, my constituency colleagues, Deputy Wilkinson and Deputies O'Shea and Deasy on the Opposition benches. As Deputy O'Shea stated, given the Bill's importance, Members were keen to ensure it received a speedy passage through the House.

I do not propose to address in detail the other issues raised by several Members. The bypass and bridge were proposed as projects under the public private partnership process. If this had not been the case, the House would not be discussing the project moving forward. There is no doubt the use of the PPP process for this and other projects allows us to accelerate a number of major national infrastructure projects.

Not every completed infrastructure project will be tolled. However, without public private partnerships, delivery of the required investment in infrastructure would proceed much more slowly. We are right to try to maximise the amount of private sector money available to complement public sector funding in order to accelerate projects and overcome, in large measure, our infrastructural deficit during this decade.

Ireland was the lead country in Europe at a conference held in Poland on public private partnerships. Having visited most of the applicant countries in recent years, it is clear we will face stiff competition from the central and eastern European countries for finance and construction expertise. It is important, therefore, that we maintain momentum in driving forward these kinds of projects.

I have always had time for Alderman Pat Hayes of Waterford City Council, whose term as mayor was one of the finest the city ever had. He has been most constructive and to the fore in driving forward this process, notwithstanding his views on some of its aspects. Old Timber Toes, the first bridge across the Suir built in 1793, which we discussed earlier, was a toll bridge until 1913. That is a long history of tolling, certainly longer than that of the current bridge in Waterford.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Somebody must have done well out of it.

Mr. Cullen

As Deputy O'Shea stated, in those days rivers were crossed on small ferries, which amounted, in effect, to the imposition of a toll. County Waterford was no different and many such ferries operated on the River Suir from Piltown and Fidown upstream and further down the river as it meandered its way down to the estuary at Dunmore East. Tolls, therefore, are not new which suggests our forefathers were more innovative in maximising the use of available resources than we appear to be. Nevertheless, I respect the fact that there are arguments surrounding this issue.

I agree with Deputy O'Shea that the motorway project must proceed once the bridge is completed. This is one of the key pieces of national infrastructure in the national development plan. Although we would like the project to start in Waterford, in some respects we miss the point. I hope and expect that, in future, one contract will be issued to cover entire projects. In the case of the motorway in question, this would make the end at which the motorway works begin irrelevant, given that one will not be able to drive on it until it has been completed in its entirety. We need to get away from building short bypasses and obtain value for money by completing these kinds of projects in one large contract.

I and, I presume, most Members have witnessed modern toll technology in other countries, particularly the United States, where one zips through them without stopping. One has a sticker on one's car windscreen which is automatically registered as one drives through. I sincerely hope this technology, which has been available for sev eral years, will be employed in all such facilities here. We do not want bottlenecks to be created. Toll roads should have facilities to allow the vast majority of traffic to move through without needing to stop.

I agree with Deputy Twomey's comments on New Ross. I am conscious the facility will not just be for Waterford. It is key infrastructure for the south-east region and, as such, part and parcel of delivering and enhancing the economic life of the area. Its scale also means it is very much part of the national infrastructure programme in the national development plan. All such projects, whether in road, rail, air or sea, are key elements in delivering the national spatial strategy for which I have responsibility.

I thank Deputies from all parties, particularly my constituency colleagues, Deputies Deasy and O'Shea, and Deputy Wilkinson from west Waterford who provided assistance and support from the county perspective this evening.

Question put and agreed to.