Families and businesses are now living through the second global fossil fuel crisis in five years. We are increasingly vulnerable as long as we depend on energy imports. Unless we take action to diversify away from fossil fuels, we will again be hit by the next crisis. When that hits, pensioners, the sick and families will again worry about the cost of home heating oil. Farmers, fishers, agricultural contractors and bus companies will again face devastation as a result of increased diesel prices. Electricity and gas prices will go through the roof once more . Arrears on people's electricity and gas bills will hit new heights and families will be put to the pin of their collar to make ends meet. We have to generate our own clean, affordable power. That means we must generate power from our own huge offshore wind and wave energy resources. Wind Energy Ireland says this requires sustained support from the Government, Eirgrid, the regulator and others in order to ensure that every available resource is aligned behind a single overriding objective. That objective is the energy independence of the country. In the context of this motion, I want to refer to the question of balanced regional development. Dublin is bulging at the seams, which is creating significant issues across society, including climate, transport, water and wastewater issues, antisocial behaviour and crime. The 2024 IDA Ireland annual report showed a breakdown of 57% of projects in the regions and 43% in Dublin. I believe that split should be significantly higher for the regions, with a target of 75% to 80% for the regions and 20% to 25% for Dublin. Within the regions, there must be a balance between counties, with an even spread across county boundaries. The town of Clonmel is a significant regional hub for south Tipperary, west Waterford, east Limerick and west Kilkenny. In 2001, South Tipperary County Council, in a far-seeing development, purchased the 270 acres of the Ballingarrane estate. IDA Ireland has purchased 50 acres of that site, and planning permission has been secured for a manufacturing facility of 110,000 sq. ft. It has access to water and electrical services and is a prime site. There is already successful development at the site. Questum is an enterprise accelerator centre, operated by the Technical University of the Shannon, with a number of incubation units and some 200 people employed. We already have in the area a number of flagship industries, including Abbott Vascular, Boston Scientific, and MSD Ballydine. The success of these industries should assist IDA Ireland in securing an anchor tenant for this site. Twenty-five years is far too long to wait for an anchor tenant for the site and the future of the town of Clonmel and the surrounding areas is linked with the development. I urge the Minister and IDA Ireland to ramp up the marketing of this site urgently.

Sentiment score: 0.07