I will today highlight an issue of critical importance to the people of north Cork, namely, the urgent need to upgrade the wastewater treatment plant in Kanturk. Kanturk is a proud and growing town with a strong community spirit, vibrant local businesses and enormous potential for future development. However, that potential is being held back by infrastructure that is no longer fit for purpose. The current wastewater treatment plant in Kanturk is operating at or beyond its capacity. This is not just a technical issue; it has real and tangible consequences for the town. It is restricting housing development, limiting business expansion and placing unnecessary pressure on local planning decisions. Quite simply, without adequate water infrastructure, Kanturk cannot grow in the way it needs to. At a time when we are facing a national housing crisis, it is deeply frustrating that towns like Kanturk, which are willing and able to accommodate growth, are being constrained by outdated infrastructure. We cannot continue to speak about balanced regional development while allowing bottlenecks like this to persist. Local families are also feeling the impact. Young people who want to build or buy homes in their own communities are facing delays and uncertainty. Developers are also hesitant to proceed with projects due to capacity concerns and businesses are also limited in their ability to expand and create jobs within the town of Kanturk. This is not acceptable and it is not sustainable. Investment in wastewater infrastructure might not always grab headlines, but it is absolutely fundamental in delivering housing, supporting economic growth and protecting our environment. An upgraded treatment plant in Kanturk would unlock significant opportunities, enabling new housing developments, supporting local enterprise and ensuring compliance with environmental standards. I acknowledge the work of Uisce Éireann in the area to date and the engagement that has taken place with Cork County Council and the EPA with regard to putting in some bridging infrastructure and modular infrastructure alongside the current treatment plant. However, what is now needed is a clear commitment and prioritisation in respect of delivery. The people of Kanturk need certainty. They need to know that this project is not just being discussed, but that it is being actively progressed. We must ensure that Kanturk is included as a priority in the capital investment programme. Funding must be allocated, timelines must be set and the project must move forward without any more unnecessary delays. This is about more than pipes and plants; it is about the future of a town and its people. It is about giving communities the tools they need to thrive. Kanturk has a great deal to offer. It is strategically located, well served by a strong community network and ready for growth. However, without the necessary infrastructure, that growth will remain stalled. I call on the Government and Uisce Éireann to recognise the urgency of this issue and to act decisively. Let us remove this barrier and invest in Kanturk's future. Let use ensure the town can realise its full potential.

Sentiment score: 0.23

I thank the Minister of State for his correspondence and response on the issue with the wastewater treatment plant in Kanturk. I particularly welcome the opportunity of maybe having some bridging infrastructure which would take place. There are serious discussions ongoing with Cork County Council, the EPA and Uisce Éireann on this matter. I certainly hope that in his position as Minister of State he will follow up with Uisce Éireann and try to urge the continued push on this because the situation on the ground in Kanturk makes this even more stark than ever before. There are houses that have already been built in good faith but cannot be occupied now because they cannot secure a wastewater connection. Families are in limbo. Homes have been completed yet are still sitting idle. At the same time, there other sites in and around Kanturk that have secured planning permission but cannot proceed to construction because a connection to the system cannot be guaranteed. This is a deeply frustrating and unacceptable position for homeowners, developers and the wider community to be in. It represents not only a waste of time and investment, but a missed opportunity to deliver much-needed housing. Local families are feeling the impact. Young people who want to build and buy homes in their own community are facing delays and uncertainties. Developers are hesitant to proceed with projects due to capacity concerns and businesses too are limited in their ability to expand and create. There are plenty of options available for Kanturk. It is good to see that Irish Water has it on its priority list. It is important that we work collectively with Uisce Éireann to make sure that the €12 billion that has been given to it by the Government is spent and spent wisely and rapidly to ensure towns like Kanturk can continue to develop into the future.

Sentiment score: 0.20