Matt Shanahan Confronts Taoiseach Over Broken Promises to Waterford
Matt Shanahan challenged the Taoiseach in the Dáil on 6 November 2024, accusing the government of breaking promises to Waterford on infrastructure and investment, including the airport, agri-food sector and a university PPP. He said the government had "burned through 44 billion euro" on capital projects with less than one third of a fair share for Waterford and demanded clarity on ongoing support for the region.
The exchange took place amid references to a "barrage of bills" and guillotines and suggestions the Taoiseach was "calling time on the 33rd Dáil". Shanahan asked how the people of his city and county can trust new promises when, he said, "promise after promise has turned to dust."
Shanahan accused the government of spending 44 billion euro on capital projects while delivering under a fair share for Waterford. He named specific local priorities he argued have been neglected - the airport, the agri-food sector, 24-7, support to the farm sector, the SCTU, an engineering PPP and the university PPP - saying they had been "slow water, bucked and strangled."
In reply the Taoiseach said progress has been made in the South East and in investment for the city and county. The Taoiseach pointed to the delivery of a university for the South East, significant investment in the North Quays, expansion plans for the university and recent work around Waterford Crystal, and said there is ongoing engagement on the airport and other issues.
Shanahan noted Waterford people have been loyal to the parties of government for generations but observed those parties are currently fielding just one candidate apiece, signalling local disappointment. He told the chamber he has kept his word to constituents and described it as his honour to stand and fight for them, while the Taoiseach said he looked forward to engaging on outstanding local concerns.
Parliamentary challenge
The exchange took place amid references to a "barrage of bills" and guillotines and suggestions the Taoiseach was "calling time on the 33rd Dáil". Shanahan asked how the people of his city and county can trust new promises when, he said, "promise after promise has turned to dust."
Allegations of investment shortfall
Shanahan accused the government of spending 44 billion euro on capital projects while delivering under a fair share for Waterford. He named specific local priorities he argued have been neglected - the airport, the agri-food sector, 24-7, support to the farm sector, the SCTU, an engineering PPP and the university PPP - saying they had been "slow water, bucked and strangled."
Delivered projects cited by the Taoiseach
In reply the Taoiseach said progress has been made in the South East and in investment for the city and county. The Taoiseach pointed to the delivery of a university for the South East, significant investment in the North Quays, expansion plans for the university and recent work around Waterford Crystal, and said there is ongoing engagement on the airport and other issues.
Local political fallout
Shanahan noted Waterford people have been loyal to the parties of government for generations but observed those parties are currently fielding just one candidate apiece, signalling local disappointment. He told the chamber he has kept his word to constituents and described it as his honour to stand and fight for them, while the Taoiseach said he looked forward to engaging on outstanding local concerns.
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Transcript
Taoiseach, with the barrage of bills, guillotines, no doubt you're a man calling time on the 33rd Dáil, and perhaps my time in this chamber too. My question to you Taoiseach, how can the people of my city and county trust any new promises made by the parties of government, when promise after promise has turned to dust? You've burned through 44 billion euro on capital projects, with less than one third of a fair share for Waterford. Our airport, our agri-food sector, 24-7, our university PPP, all slow water, bucked and strangled. Waterford people have been loyal to your parties for generations, and now you are currently fielding just one candidate apiece, I suppose at least you're self-aware of how much you have let us down. I've kept my word to my constituents and it's been my honour to stand here and fight for them Taoiseach, but can I ask you to do, and your government say the same, do you feel you have kept your promises to over 24-7, support to our farm sector, our SCTU, engineering PPP and Waterford Airport? Thank you. Taoiseach? I do. I feel we've made a lot of progress in relation to the South East and a lot of progress in relation to investment in relation to the city and county that I know you're proud to represent here in the Dáil. And there is more to do, and there's always more to do, and that's what politics is always about. You never get to the end of the job, you always have more to do. But we have delivered a university for the South East, we have invested significantly in the North Quays, we have significant expansion plans for that university and you've already seen it in relation to Waterford Crystal. And I know there's ongoing engagement around important issues, including the airport and whoever the people of Waterford return to the next door, should the people of Wicklow return me, I look forward to engaging with you on them. And I look forward to meeting you at all who knows what that's behind me.