“An Bord Pleanála, it’s time to deal Waterford a winning hand.”

As the dust begins to settle on what has been a historic period of news, we can settle back to carping about the same old, same old.

Has anyone noticed, just how much more we are ALL paying, for the privilege of sticking some petroleum into our cars? The price has been creeping up for weeks, to the point where €1.50 per litre is a distinct possibility, before the Summer draws to a close. The interruption of political infighting and “The 8^th” Referendum, have ensured that we’ve taken our eyes off the ball. The cost of living, seems to be stealthily moving in completely the wrong direction. Yet nobody is talking about it and we surely have to ask “Why?”

For example, having had to pay yet more money for my annual house insurance, I dread to think what the car insurance will come in at this year. This is due in the next couple of months, having increased already by over €200 in the previous 12 months’ premium! Just why are none of our Dail Darlings, tackling the facts that more and more of us, have less and less disposable income to spend? Is it any wonder, that Paschal now has a grin wider than the Cheshire Cat’s? His tax take is accruing so fast, that he’ll soon have to be escorted by armed guards, to protect his bulging wallet. 

With already stretched incomes, can we persuade the powers that be, to finally invest in Waterford Inc and the wider South East region?

First out of the starter’s gate, is of course the North Quays and our SDZ. We are awaiting the findings of an oral hearing with An Bord Pleanála, which is taking place today. Fingers, toes and everything else crossed, that these learned people who sit in judgement, make the right decision for Waterford. They are after all, gambling on our very future. There is no “Plan B”. We have to see this through. The City has placed its counters on black. We can’t ponder on what the outcome would be, if the wee white roulette ball fell into red! Who knows what might happen? Just look towards the North West, where “It’s so lonely round the Fields of Athenry”. Apple promised so much and eventually left due to lengthy planning delays, delays Waterford can ill afford.

The North Quays will provide the stimulus for so many other projects. It might even help secure much needed funds, to get the airport up and running once again. Though the longer this lies in limbo, the harder it will be to persuade us travellers, to adopt new flight patterns. It will also be a challenge to secure a meaningful carrier, when pure economics are at stake. Only bums on seats will whet the appetite of Michael O’Leary’s ilk. Government is being very guarded about the airport’s future. They’ve certainly made it clear, they don’t wish to be this aerodrome’s Freddie Laker.

Who knows, even UHW might get an injection of cash, if An Bord Pleanála deal Waterford a Royal Flush? The catheterization laboratory may be one step closer, should our SDZ get the go ahead. Given the expected population growth, associated with an expanding City, as set out in the 2040 encyclopaedia, we could just be in the pipeline for some good news. Minister H, is riding the crest of a wave and we may catch him in a generous mood, if we roll the dice early enough, who knows?

Then, there’s the BIG elephant in the room. The HQ of the Technological University of the SE or TUSE, as we are now referring to it. Will we be strong enough to insist this remains in Waterford? The SDZ will no doubt help cement the argument, but not guarantee the final geographical placement.

Waterford’s future is quite literally relying on these mysterious men and women, of An Bord Pleanála, to “Do the right thing!” We need them to expedite their decision, despite them having had, a very short time, to deliberate. Running in tandem, we need our strategic funding application to be propelled through the Civil Service, preferably at Warp Factor 10.

Let’s listen for the positive news.