Cork events centre funding
Deputy Barry questioned the long delay and rising cost of the Cork events centre and asked when funding would be announced and what it would cost. The Taoiseach said he expected a final submission shortly, would bring a memorandum to Government, and hoped it could be before the summer.
Can the Taoiseach tell us when the Government will make an announcement on the issue of funding for the Cork events centre? It is now nearly eight and a half years since a clatter of politicians, led by Enda Kenny and Simon Coveney, were photographed turning the sod in the run-up to a general election, and, still, to this day, not a single brick has been laid.
Can the Taoiseach tell us what the cost to the State will be? The original plan was for €20 million. Over the years it has skyrocketed to €57 million. To be honest, the State could have built it for less than that and held it in public ownership but instead the Government chose to hand it over to a private operator. In any case, I understand the new figure will be higher than €57 million and I would like to know what it is. Can the Taoiseach tell us?
Comment on this
I will be able to very shortly and will be happy to tell the Deputy once I have received a final submission on the issue. My Department, for legacy reasons, as it were, has a role in bringing this project forward. I intend to bring a memorandum to the Government on it very shortly. Once I have brought that final memorandum to the Government and it has made a decision, I will be happy to share the details with the House.
Comment on this
Will it be before the summer?