"This is not the end of the journey".
Those are the words of Taoiseach Simon Harris, who was visiting Waterford City yesterday, on day one of his campaign trail alongside Waterford Senator John Cummins ahead of the General Election.
It started at Ardkeen stores where the Taoiseach spoke to businesses and locals in the centre, before moving on to canvas in the Newtown area.
When asked by WLR why Waterford is still without full cardiac care with his government at the helm over the last five years, the Taoiseach says more "staffing" and "expertise" are needed at the hospital.
"We've been in government for some time, and during that, we have seen the expansion of the services.
"As you know, the first step was the second cath lab, which was important because you can't have 24-7 without a second cath lab.
"The next step is to hold the HSE's feet to the fire in terms of getting to eight to eight, seven days a week within the timeframe that has been agreed, and then we've got to keep driving".
"Why can't you just give us the money for the full 24-7 Taoiseach? You've been in government for the last five years and we haven't got it. Can you promise us here right now that you will deliver that?" asked WLR's Kyle Butler.
"Sorry, I need to be very clear", said Taoiseach Simon Harris," That's not the end of the journey. I am very clear on that. But this is the next step towards building up towards the 24-7.
"It's not just about the money. I think, and I say very respectfully, people in Waterford know this, it's not about the money."
"What is it so Taoiseach?"
"It's not about the money at all", the Taoiseach responded.
"It's about building up the capacity in terms of staffing and expertise to expand the service. That's how we've gone from a situation where we've had one cath lab to two, where we've seen the hours extend, and where we'll see them extend further.
"I absolutely know, and I hear it very clearly in Waterford on a very regular basis, how important this issue is. I've never been in government where you come to the people and say the work is done. You come to the people and say, here's the progress you've made, and here are the next things that we want to do."
Waterford Airport
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan said the Waterford Airport business case "is not a business case" in recent days, however, Taoiseach Simon Harris promises to deliver on the project if re-elected.
"I've heard, just from this very nice gentleman I've just met here, Michael, at his door, the importance of Waterford Airport, and I want to be absolutely crystal clear, I'm frustrated by some unhelpful comments that have been made in recent times by others. The Waterford Airport project needs to progress. This is important for Waterford.
"It needs to progress in the capacity that was agreed in 2019 around the 50-50 contribution. This is a sensible construct because what it basically means is the state only has to put in money when the private element puts in money, too. It's been stalled for too long. I don't want to give anyone a history lesson."
"Did you read the business case, Taoiseach?" asked WLR's Kyle Butler.
"The business case hasn't come to me because that would be a matter for the Minister for Transport, and he didn't bring it to Cabinet. What I'm making very clear to people in Waterford, though, is that if my party leads the next government, the delivery of the Waterford Airport project along the agreed position of 2019 – remember, this came to a Cabinet that I was in in 2019, we've agreed this – will happen, and I'm very, very clear in relation to that."
SETU
When asked if the delivery of a Technological University in the Southeast suffices for the people of Waterford, Taoiseach Simon Harris said "We delivered that University".
"When it comes to the South East Technological University, people can believe me because we delivered it."
"But it's not a full stand-alone University Taoiseach," pressed WLR's Kyle Butler, "It's a full university", responded Simon Harris," Let's be honest. The president of the South East Technological University was the bursar of Trinity College, Dublin. The chair of the board of the South East Technological University was the provost of Trinity.
"It's is a game changer for the region. What now needs to happen is student accommodation, the development of the Waterford Crystal site, and the PPP project going to construction."
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