McGuinness condemns Waterford's 'decade of neglect'

Newly elected Waterford TD Conor McGuinness has spoken out about the government's "decade of neglect" of public services in Waterford in his maiden speech.

"A decade of neglect has left many of our public services under-resourced and on the back foot," the Sinn Fein TD said during today's Dáil debate on the government's response to Storm Éowyn.

"This is particularly true of local authorities, which have yet to recover from the austerity measures that saw central government funding and staffing levels cut to the bone."

Deputy McGuinness said that the "decisions of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in various configurations over recent years have left communities across Ireland extremely vulnerable to severe weather events."

He said that the "neglect by the Government stands in stark contrast to the huge effort" of local and emergency workers, as well as council staff.

"Storm Éowyn and other recent storms, from Eunice to Babet, Darragh and more have exposed the inadequate levels of funding in investment for essential public services and infrastructure.

"Lives and livelihoods are put at risk across Ireland due to the negligence and indifference of successive governments that have been unwilling to look beyond the Pale."

Teachta McGuinness said that local councils do not have sufficient resources and said: "Every storm that comes our way, with increasing frequency and ferocity, exposes the shortcomings in infrastructure investment in our rural communities. The people I represent feel forgotten and left behind."

The Sinn Féin TD, who lives in the Waterford Gaeltacht, An Rinn, highlighted the plight of the residents of Tallow in Waterford.

"Take the town of Tallow in my own constituency, where people whose homes and businesses were flooded during Storm Babet in 2023 have yet to see any movement from the OPW on works to prevent further occurrences."

"One cannot imagine the anxiety they feel every time a storm is forecast, not knowing if the River Bride will burst its banks again and if their homes will be destroyed once more. Over a year on and they have received nothing from this Government - no delivery, no plan and not so much as a visit."

Teachta McGuinness brought up the issues facing Cé Heilbhic, a fishing harbour in the west Waterford Gaeltacht, which he said "urgently requires the Government to fund dredging works as fishing boats and the local lifeboat are prevented from leaving or returning to port in low tides."

"Lives and livelihoods are being put at risk," the TD said and called on the new government to take action to support the community.

The problems Lismore residents are having with access to water services were further referenced in Deputy McGuinness' maiden speech, alongside issues of special school access in West Waterford.