Yesterday and again this morning we heard much comment about the loss of the Web Summit to Lisbon. While the reasons for it are probably varied and complex, the cost of accommodation here----

It is about money and greed.

While the cost of accommodation in this city is certainly a factor, I draw attention to what might be another factor in this decision. Back in 2013 for the entire period of the Web Summit, there was a water shortage in Dublin. When there were 30,000 international and national entrepreneurs and high-tech businesses coming here to experience the Irish ambiance for entrepreneurship, they found themselves not being able to have a shower and restaurants were unable to serve water.

It might just cause those who are opposed to paying for water and for investment in water to reflect on the logical consequences of their decisions. This is one of them. While I am not saying this is the single and only reason for the loss of the Web Summit it certainly must be a contributory factor.

Will the Leader arrange a debate on local government reform in the light of the proposed amalgamation of Cork city and county councils? I am fully in favour of the reform. According to reports in the media today there is only a 5% vacancy in office space in Dublin, at a time when we are trying to attract more investment. In the regions - Cork is the major region - we could take advantage of this opportunity if we get our decision making and administrative processes in order. We could then talk seriously about regional development. We could perhaps include in that debate the overwhelmingly important possibility of the devolution of the powers from central government to local government. This is overdue.