Waterford ‘being robbed’ of Government investment amid ‘broken promises’

Waterford is “being robbed” of Government investment amid a number of “broken promises”, the Dáil has heard.

The issue was raised by Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane during a recent debate on infrastructure.

Deputy Cullinane said: “Infrastructure development is really important and is obviously important for every city, county and constituency, so I wish to raise infrastructure development for Waterford city and county and the wider south east.

“The North Quays development has received significant Government funding so I want to start by acknowledging that.

“However, I also have to say to the Minister that, per capita, the south east and Waterford are not getting their fair share and have not been getting their fair share of capital funding for a long number of years. Even over the past year, I have raised so many different issues.”

READ NEXT: Famous Irish broadcaster’s plans for Waterford holiday home hit by further delays

He detailed issues with the N24 road from Waterford to Limerick and the N25 road from Waterford to Cork.

“I will start with the N24 Waterford to Limerick road. What is really disheartening about that project is it is not a great road.

“I know a lot of people who use it every day. It is very dangerous and needs to be upgraded.

“The preferred route is in place. A lot of work was done and then, lo and behold, the Government simply stopped the funding and for the past two years, no funding has gone to that project.

“The local authorities have been screaming at the Government to provide the funding because of road safety issues and because it is an economic corridor between Waterford and the south east.

“It is the same with the N25, the Waterford to Cork road. Again, it has not received any funding.”

Deputy Cullinane also expressed his frustration at the Government’s failure to provide funding for Waterford Airport’s runway extension.

“I was blue in the face in this Chamber raising the need for State investment in Waterford Airport.

“The Government made us jump over hurdles and jump through hoops. It delayed and delayed, and it got to the point that a venture between a private consortium, the three local authorities in the region and the State collapsed.

“A private investor had to come in from outside the country, by the way, to put money on the table to build a runway extension that this Government simply failed to do.”

He also raised concerns over a lack of funding for the South East Technological University (SETU).

“We also have the case of the South East Technological University, SETU, which has had to wait years for an engineering block.

“We are now told funding will come for a One Health building and a pharmacy building in Waterford, but that will take years.

“Appraisals and business cases have been done and they are sent up to the Department.

“All of that gets put through all sorts of processes and there is no clarity as to when that funding will be made available.”

The need for investment in Waterford Port, as well as the Naíonra Philib Barún project in Tramore, were among other points raised by Deputy Cullinane.

He concluded by stating: “The south east is not getting its fair share. I have given the Minister a list of projects, for which I and others have been campaigning and looking for Government funding, and what we have got is a stone wall of resistance.”

Deputy Cullinane was addressing the Minister for Public Expenditure, Jack Chambers.

However, Minister Chambers was not present to issue a response by the time other members made their contributions.

Minister of State Frank Feighan was there on his behalf, but provided no direct response to Deputy Cullinane.

In a general response to all members, Minister Feighan said: “I thank members for their constructive and insightful contribution to the debate, which affirms the importance of public investment in the delivery of capital projects and programmes and the urgent need to remove the barriers to infrastructure development.

“What has been made very clear is that, collectively, we know what the challenges we face are and that infrastructure deficits remain in certain sectors. I thank members for articulating that.

“That is why this Government has prioritised investment in water, energy and transport, which will provide the necessary structures to boost national competitiveness and deliver more homes, schools and healthcare facilities.”

Deputy Cullinane again expressed his frustration at the situation in a post on social media two days later.

He stated: “Waterford is being robbed of investment, the people of Waterford know it and the Government knows it.

“This week in the Dáil, I challenged them directly on a simple reality, year after year, Waterford is told to wait. Wait for funding. Wait for delivery. Wait for fairness.

“While other regions move ahead, Waterford is left behind. This is not accidental. It is a pattern of delay, neglect and broken promises.”

Deputy Cullinane concluded by questioning why this is the case, particularly given the positions of Waterford TDs, Minister Mary Butler and Minister John Cummins.

“Waterford is not getting its fair share. Not even close. This is about political choices.

“So I asked what people across Waterford are asking, what are the two local ministers doing?

“Why is Waterford always the place left waiting? No more delays. No more excuses. No more broken promises. It is time Waterford got its fair share.”

Minister Mary Butler and Minister John Cummins have both been approached for comment in light of Deputy Cullinane’s remarks.