Waterford projects and PPP
Deputy Shanahan says there is no support for the SETU engineering PPP and presses the Tánaiste on other Waterford projects. The Tánaiste rejects the claim, says the PPP is progressing, and says the business case for the airport can still be handled positively.
I too thank all the staff and ushers, and the Ceann Comhairle, for their support over the last while. I advise the House that President Higgins has agreed to ring the peace bell at Áras an Uachtaráin for 11 minutes on 11 November, from 11.03 a.m. Perhaps this House could do something in unison to support that initiative. I will drop the Ceann Comhairle a note on it.
To check in with the Tánaiste and be clear for the Waterford voters, there is a hard no to the SETU engineering public private partnership. I remind the Tánaiste that it was first promised in 2007, rehashed in 2009 and promised again in 2018. At the start of Government, it was put into a second batch while Cork and Dublin projects were progressed. All that stands there now are furze bushes and dandelions. There is also a hard no to the runway extension at Waterford Airport, where €25 million was promised by the Tánaiste's Government in 2007. Despite €500 million having been spent on national aviation, not a cent has been given to Waterford Airport in this programme for Government. I have a new slogan for the Tánaiste and the Government parties. They should say "Airports 24-7, SETU for Waterford: all promised, nothing done, stand by for more promises."
Comment on this
It is certainly not true about SETU. I mentioned pharmacy earlier and the veterinary college too. The two latest investments involve the procurement of the Waterford Crystal site and the establishment of the South East Technological University. It is unfair to say what the Deputy is saying.
Comment on this
The PPP is progressing. It is not a hard no. The airport is not a hard no either. The business case has to be submitted. Just earlier in the House, people were saying that we are not spending money carefully enough. My understanding is that the Department asked for the business case. It has been resubmitted. That can be dealt with positively.