Matt Shanahan's parting shot to Taoiseach before election

Waterford Independent Deputy Matt Shanahan gave a potent parting shot to Taoiseach Simon Harris.

With only three weeks to go before the general election, members of the Oireachtas are clearly speaking with more frankness and less care towards upsetting the status quo. 

Between the ongoing debacle of Waterford Airport, SETU and 24-hour cardiac care, TD Shanahan asked the Taoiseach why the people of Waterford should have any faith in his administration.

Deputy Shanahan addressed the potentially outgoing 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?”

He continued: "The Government has burned through €44 billion on capital projects with less than one-third of a fair share for Waterford. 

"Our airport, our agrifood sector, 24/7 cardiac care and our university PPP have all been slow-walked and strangled. Waterford people have been loyal to their parties for generations, and now those parties are fielding just one candidate apiece. I suppose at least they are self-aware of how much they have let us down’’.

He ended: "I have kept my word to my constituents, and it has been my honour to stand here and fight for them, but can the Taoiseach and his Government say the same? 

"Do they feel they have kept their promises over 24/7 cardiac care, support to our farm sector, our SETU, our engineering PPP and Waterford Airport?"

Taoiseach Harris responded that his Government had "made a lot of progress as regards the south-east and investment in Waterford city and county”.

He stated: "There is more to do, and there is always more to do. That is what I know. 

"There is ongoing engagement on important issues including the airport, and whomever the people of Waterford return to the next Dáil, should the people of Wicklow return me, I look forward to engaging with the Deputy on those issues."