Richard O'Donoghue Pushes for Developer-Led Infrastructure Delivery
Richard O'Donoghue spoke about developer-led infrastructure and urged the government to adopt advice from experienced builders. He praised colleagues who agreed, criticised Fianna Fáil for not listening for years, and insisted he can deliver projects on budget and on time.
He welcomed that members were finally agreeing on the approach and described it as a breath of fresh air to hear that unity. He singled out a representative who identified with Fianna Fáil and said he was pleased to hear them back the proposal.
He criticised Fianna Fáil for previously not listening, saying he had been a member who was put in "cotton wool" and not allowed to speak. He argued that that party had been part of the problem for failing to heed experienced voices.
Drawing on a lifetime in construction, he stressed his capacity to deliver projects on budget and on time and repeated that developer-led infrastructure can meet those targets. He noted he has been making this point for six years and that it has taken that time for others to listen.
He committed to supporting the people from Clare and urged members to report back to constituents that they had spoken up. He promised praise if ministers deliver what was requested and said he would provide the impetus while others could apply pressure to Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael to act.
Praise for cross-party agreement
He welcomed that members were finally agreeing on the approach and described it as a breath of fresh air to hear that unity. He singled out a representative who identified with Fianna Fáil and said he was pleased to hear them back the proposal.
Criticism of Fianna Fáil's past stance
He criticised Fianna Fáil for previously not listening, saying he had been a member who was put in "cotton wool" and not allowed to speak. He argued that that party had been part of the problem for failing to heed experienced voices.
Construction background and delivery claim
Drawing on a lifetime in construction, he stressed his capacity to deliver projects on budget and on time and repeated that developer-led infrastructure can meet those targets. He noted he has been making this point for six years and that it has taken that time for others to listen.
Support for local representatives and expectations
He committed to supporting the people from Clare and urged members to report back to constituents that they had spoken up. He promised praise if ministers deliver what was requested and said he would provide the impetus while others could apply pressure to Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael to act.
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Transcript
Thank you Chair. Do you know something that is actually a breath of fresh air when I hear the people over there agreeing to something. I suggested five years ago and I heard one person saying that they are a young person for Fianna Fáil and they represent that area. I have four sons and I started out in Fianna Fáil until they tried to put me in cotton wool and wouldn't allow me to speak. You are part of the government that is actually part of the problem because they didn't listen. And now they are listening after they listen to people with experience. I am in construction all my life. We know how to deliver on budget and on time. Otherwise I wouldn't be in business. So I am looking forward that we will be able to deliver and I am looking forward that the government are finally listening to developer led infrastructure. I have been saying it six years. It has only taken six years for them to listen because I can bring it on budget and on time. So I am delighted you are representing Fianna Fáil but also you are representing the mistakes of them not listening to us. coming from a person that was a member of it. But I will look at it and I will support the people from Clare. You are all singing from the one hymn sheet now lads and you are agreeing. Right? You are agreeing it now and you go home to your constituents and say, listen we spoke up for you today but we didn't listen to the people with experience for five or six years and they could have helped the problem. I have told you. I will give you praise all day, every day if you deliver what we asked you to deliver. We have given you the advice to deliver and you are finally listening. So I am delighted that the government is now taking the advice of an independent and giving you the roadway so you can deliver infrastructure. On budget, on time. And I am delighted that you are actually speaking out of my book and you might bring that to your own parties and drive it home. And the same rocket that you are looking for, I will provide it and as you said you can light it. But you want to light it under Fianna Fáil and Fianna Gael for us. Thanks. Thank you.