Taoiseach indicates to Cork TD that a decision on events centre funding is imminent

TAOISEACH Simon Harris has indicated that a decision on the ask for additional State funding to develop Cork’s long-awaited events centre will be made before the Dáil’s summer recess.

The matter was raised in the Dáil by People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry on Tuesday.

The Cork North-Central TD asked if the Taoiseach could advise when the Government will make an announcement on the matter of funding.

He said: “Also, can you tell us what is going to be the cost to the State? The original plan was for €20m. Over the years it’s skyrocketed to €57m…

“I understand that the new figure will be higher than €57m and I’d like to know what it is. Can you tell us?”

Responding, Mr Harris said he will be able to divulge such information “very shortly”.

“I’m happy to tell you once I’ve received a final submission on this issue.

“My department, for legacy reasons if you like, has a role in this and bringing this project forward and I do intend to bring a memorandum to Government on it very shortly.

“Once I’ve brought that final memorandum to Government and the Government’s made a decision, I’m happy to share the details with the house,” he said.

Pressed by Mr Barry if that would be before the summer break, Mr Harris said: “That’s my hope”.

Speaking after the Dáil exchange, Mr Barry said he was disappointed by the response.

“It’s not good enough that the Taoiseach wasn’t even able to give a firm commitment that the Government would have news before the Dáil summer recess,” he said.

It was revealed at a Cork City Council meeting in December that additional funding would be required for the project, due to inflation, and following the completion of a detailed design.

Initially, the consortium that won the tender for the centre, Bam and Live Nation, was expected to benefit from €20m in State funding, which was later increased to €50m, and then to €57m.

The events centre, set to be built on the site of the former Beamish & Crawford brewery on South Main St, has been a long-term objective for the city.