Plans for Cork City Library ‘lack transparency’ says TD

A Cork TD has criticised a ‘lack of transparency’ around future plans for Cork City Library, amid fears that plans for a new building have been scrapped.

Social Democrats TD Pádraig Rice raised the issue of the library in the Dáil on Thursday. “We have a fantastic library service in Cork city but the building is not fit for purpose,” he said.

“The roof leaks and parts of the library have been closed off to the public.

“Even more disappointing is that four years ago, the Taoiseach announced that €50m would be spent transforming Grand Parade with a new public library, a new central plaza, and boardwalk. Four years later, however, our library is nowhere to be seen. It is not acceptable. This is just a pattern of under-delivery for Cork city. Again and again, projects are announced that are not delivered on.”

He said a total of €50m was promised and €7m had been spent on Bishop Lucey Park’s redevelopment, but he claimed there is “a huge lack of transparency” about the remaining €43m.

Minister of State Colm Brophy acknowledged that the library “is currently limited in its capacity”. He said: “It is proposed to develop a new library in a well-designed iconic building that embraces its riverside location as part of a vibrant mixed-use quarter. Multiple options have been considered for the new library by Cork City Council. 

"There has been a significant level of engagement between Cork City Council and officials from the Department of Housing. I understand a revised preliminary business case that will set out the council’s preferred options is expected to be submitted to the department in the coming weeks.”

Mr Rice said was “concerned at the response because what we see is a passing of the buck”. He said: “When the press releases go out, they often have the names of the Taoiseach and the minister on them. When it comes to responsibility, however, it is a case of it not being them but Cork City Council that is responsible.

“Are we going to get the construction of a new building and not have this shoved into an existing building that does not meet the needs of a library and is not the promised new-build library?”