Galway West TD Noel Grealish has demanded that a portion of the €13 billion Apple ‘windfall’ be ring-fenced for major infrastructural projects in Galway and the wider west of Ireland.
The Independent TD said that he would be insisting on Galway getting its fair share of the money in any talks on a Programme for Government if he is returned to the Dáil in the forthcoming general election.
“If re-elected, I will be insisting that [Galway projects] be included in any five-year Programme for Government if parties approach me looking for support,” said Deputy Grealish who could be a kingmaker in a potentially hung Dáil.
Top of the priority list for Grealish is funding for the Galway City Ring Road, if it is approved by An Bord Pleanála.
Deputy Grealish said he would also be looking for immediate funding for wastewater treatment and other infrastructure required for the development of the Ardaun corridor to the east of the city.
And said he will further seek funding for the proper development of facilities at Galway’s UHG and Merlin Park hospitals, including progressing a cancer centre of excellence, a new Emergency Department, new laboratory facilities and a minor injuries unit.
Next on the list for the is funding for the Claregalway relief road, which he claims would benefit 20,00 commuters daily.
“This Apple money will not be available to the Irish Exchequer until next year and I will be insisting, as part of any discussions I have with parties in relation to the forming of a new Government, that some of the money is ringfenced for certain key infrastructural projects in Galway, if re-elected.
“What I am looking for is very much in line with the Taoiseach’s own comments when he stated quite clearly on RTÉ radio and Newstalk that this money cannot be spent on day-to-day spending.
“He said there should be an informed discussion on how we can address some of the pressing infrastructural challenges, capital challenges and housing challenges that we face.
“The key priorities that I am setting out now ahead of the election all fall perfectly into those categories.
“The Taoiseach spoke about exciting opportunities to invest the Apple money in infrastructure for future generations – well, building a road around the city that will give relief to the many thousands of people currently spending wasted hours in their cars would be a good start, as would the Claregalway relief road.
“Galway is crippled by a shortage of housing, more so than most places in the country, and providing the vital infrastructure needed, such as proper waste water treatment plant, to allow houses to be built in the area known as the Ardaun Corridor would be the single greatest contribution possible to solving that problem.
“And the development of facilities at the city’s two public hospitals will not only provide a better health service to the people of Galway, but to more than a million people all along the western seaboard, for whom Galway will be their cancer centre of excellence.
“These are all hugely worthwhile projects which are vital to Galway and the wider western region. This part of the country tends to be the last to benefit in terms of Government spending and now is an opportunity to put that right."
