Job creation impacted in Louth by ‘grave deficits’ in water infrastructure
Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has said more to be done by government to ensure that the barriers that exist for cross border workers are broken down and highlighted that ‘grave deficits’ in water infrastructure is impacting housing development in North Louth
Much more needs to be done by government to ensure that the barriers that exist for cross border workers are broken down for employees and companies, Dundalk TD Ruairí Ó Murchú has said.
The Sinn Féin deputy was speaking in the Dáil last week during a debate on the Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill and also took the opportunity to highlight the ‘grave deficits’ in water infrastructure that is impacting housing development in North Louth, and will, he said, in turn impact business expansion and job creation.
Deputy Ó Murchú said the Good Friday Agreement committee had recently heard from chambers of commerce around the border, including Dundalk and Newry.
He said: “I have raised this issue many times with Ministers and taoisigh in the context of the necessity of dealing with the taxation issues that exist across the Border.
“A particular issue exists whereby those who live near the Border cannot work remotely in the other jurisdiction. This creates a difficulty for them and for the companies that employ them. I put on the record once again the necessity for this to happen.
“Their big issue is industrial development and enterprise in the area, and they spoke about the M1 Border corridor and the real benefits we have in the area, including the new relationship between Queen's University Belfast and Dundalk Institute of Technology to develop what will hopefully become Dundalk university college in the very near future”.
He pointed out how a new housing development of 502 units could not go ahead because of the lack of wastewater capacity in Dundalk.
He said: “In my area, there is a local enterprise office which is linked with Enterprise Ireland. There is also InterTradeIreland, and IDA Ireland has a huge footprint in the area. We need to see new industrial sites to allow for the possibility of having a new WuXi, medtech, pharma or tech of any sort.
“When the development of housing is refused, industrial development will also be refused”.
And he said the 2027 date previously given as the date for the upgrading of the pumping station on Coes Road in Dundalk, ‘could now be 2029’.
The date for the completion of the treatment plant on Point Road in Dundalk has been put back from 2030 to 2033.
Deputy Ó Murchú said: “None of that is good enough. Not only do we need to make sure we have serviced sites available for industrial development, but we also need to make sure that we have the basic infrastructure required.
“We can have all the legislation the Minister brings forward, but it will not make any difference if we cannot get rid of wastewater. The latter is causing issues with regard to housing and flooding”.