-----that is compared to approximately an average cost of 19% across Europe. In the areas of education, health and transport-----

-----it is a different story because of Government intervention.

Yes.

The whole purpose of that legislation is to help the primary producer. That was its origin. That is why Fianna Fáil argued for this when we were in opposition. In government, the three parties agreed-----

-----but in any event-----

I did not interrupt the Deputy. I just want to make the point that the legislation on food pricing is the first of its kind. It will bring about far greater transparency and it is designed to help the primary producer. The ECB is increasing interest rates in order to bring down inflation more generally. They were at historically low levels. Every economist will acknowledge that. The Government has to intervene to reduce the pain, as the Deputy has said. That is the right thing to do in the exceptional circumstances…

We have to make sure - there are agencies in place - that we deal with the behaviour of companies etc.

First, I cannot speak about the specifics of any particular planning application. Obviously, however, when an event such as what happened in Gweebarra happens, it does merit an examination. The Deputy is saying that the investigation is on the way but it has not concluded.

Yet, it is still on the way, is it not?

I know, but I am not doing the investigation. I cannot interfere, and nor should the Government interfere in any investigation of that kind. The investigation into that bog slide should be without fear or favour, because it is important. I acknowledge that. Wind energy and renewables, both onshore and offshore, are key to the country's future. There will be a stronger emphasis on offshore over the next decade. However, a significant degree of onshore wind will still come on stream. There are quite a number of plann…

Again, I said I would check with the relevant Ministers about where the investigation is. However, very often, the opposite of that story can also happen. The Deputy would be the very first to stand up here if the Government had got involved in the investigation, and the Government of the day would then be accused of cover-up and of influencing the investigation to get the right result that has now facilitated further planning permissions. That is exactly what would happen. If the Government started speaking to the…

First, I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Ní aontaím leis. Ní dóigh liom go bhfuil an ceart ag an Teachta nó go bhfuil fírinne an scéil ráite aige. Tá an-chuid infheistíochta ag dul isteach in áiteanna tuaithe na tíre seo. Tá an-chuid infheistíochta á dhéanamh i ngach aon áit sa Stáit. I do not agree with the Deputy's central premise. The preliminary census results for 2022 show population growth in all counties, in rural and urban Ireland. It is the first time ever that this has happened. The num…

I will stay on Limerick but, in fairness, the Deputy started his question nationally and, after my initial reply, he jumped back to his constituency-----

On sewage treatment, the Ministers for Finance and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Expenditure have both allocated unprecedented money to Irish Water for sewage treatment plants-----

There is a significant investment programme in sewage treatment plants and we need to do more. It is an issue of capacity now. The money has been allocated. The reason we are doing it-----

The reason we are doing it is it tied into the housing programme as well.

I am dealing with this Government now because this Government is responsible for what is there and to make sure we can improve upon water quality, in particular. That is a key priority of Government.

There are many factors that go into the pollution of our waterways, etc.-----

-----but the Deputy should be in no doubt that work is under way on a range of the projects that he has listed.

The Deputy would be the first there when some of these schemes are opened.