Cork politicians 'treating the people of the city like a bunch of fools': Outrage at latest events centre delay

Concerns have been raised by local business groups following a Government decision to delay the final issue of funding for the events centre in Cork.

Cabinet gathered today for its last meeting of the term, during which RTÉ funding, disability services, and legislation around access to cash was discussed. The events centre was not on the agenda, despite promises from senior politicians that a decision on the funding would be made before the end of July.

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Mick Barry said senior Cork politicians are “treating the people of the city like a bunch of fools”.

Business organisations in Cork city combined to release a joint statement calling the delay of the long-awaited centre “yet another considerable setback to the project”.

An initial €20m State aid package to develop the former Beamish and Crawford site was on offer, but has since increased to €57m.

Following a design process by Bam Ireland, Cork City Council submitted a detailed report to the Department of Housing on the additional costs to build the venue.

Earlier this month, all major business organisations in Cork city, including the Cork Business Association, the Cork branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, Cork Chamber of Commerce, the Vintners Federation in Cork, and the Restaurant Association of Ireland released a joint statement urging the Government to approve the funding.

The business organisations released a follow-up statement following news of the further delay in a decision on funding.

“We are calling for the Government to bring the decision to the first Cabinet meeting after the summer recess,” the statement read.

“The events centre, which would have 6,000 seats and could attract an annual attendance of around 500,000 people, represents a critical piece of infrastructure for a rapidly growing city like Cork. 

“It will enhance the region’s competitiveness and attract vital talent and investment to the region. Completion of the long-awaited events centre will be transformative for Cork City centre and for the wider Cork region, strengthening the county’s already significant cultural offering, while also contributing to the rejuvenation of the city’s urban environment."

The statement acknowledged the thousands of jobs and countless opportunities for business development that the events centre would create and the key role it would play in developing Cork’s tourism and hospitality sector.

“The decision on the events centre has been lingering for far too long and must now be brought to a positive conclusion as soon as possible,” the statement concluded.

Labour Party councillor for Cork City South East Peter Horgan said all documentation should be published to restore any confidence in the project.

“Another delay is hardly what the Cork public, the main funders of this project, want to hear on this,” he said.

The Echo has contacted former minister and Fine Gael TD for Cork South Central Simon Coveney, former Minister for Finance and Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central Michael McGrath and Tánaiste Micheál Martin for comment.