Areas with population growth and housing demand must be prioritised under the new national development plan and budget 2026. Dundalk and Blackrock are ready to grow but are being held back by the outdated wastewater infrastructure. Uisce Éireann has plans to expand the Dundalk treatment plant and transfer load from Blackrock. The groundwork has been done and what is missing is delivery. Every delay risks stalling houses, jobs and investments in north Louth. It also puts the environment at risk as overloaded systems mean overflows, coastal pollution and pressure on rivers and beaches. Will the Government ensure that towns like Dundalk and Blackrock where there is real growth and environmental pressures are fast-tracked under the NDP and not left waiting behind areas where there is less urgency?

The Deputy has been relentless in articulating for the needs of Dundalk and Blackrock in particular, given the exponential population growth there and therefore the pressure on services and the need for a wastewater treatment plan. I will engage with Irish Water, which has received unprecedented levels of funding arising from the NDP and the budget for the delivery of infrastructure of this kind. I acknowledge that this area needs it. I will talk to Irish Water about it.