‘No one taking responsibility’ for city library building plan, says Cork TD

Nobody is taking responsibility for the future of the Cork City Library, a Cork TD has claimed.

Social Democrat TD Padraig Rice made the comments during a heated exchange between Cork politicians in the Dáil, over the long-delayed plans for a proposed new library.

In February, Cork City Council told Social Democrats councillor Niamh O’Connor that it had submitted a preliminary business case to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for the project. It included the examination of a number of options including the use or reuse of existing buildings and new-build options.

The council said at the time that it was awaiting a decision from the Department and looking forward to moving “to the next stage” in the process. 

Ms O’Connor’s party colleague, TD Pádraig Rice, recently asked Jerry Buttimer, Minister for Rural and Community Development about the project. 

Mr Rice pointed out that funding was provided five years ago to replace the current building, which was “not fit for purpose”, and that there has been little progress or information since.

Mr Buttimer responded, saying the provision of library services “is primarily a matter for local authorities – in this case, Cork City Council”.

He added that his department and the Department of Housing “share the ambition” to have a “modern state-of-the-art library”.

In reply to a query from Mr Rice, who asked if the business case submitted to government had been reviewed, the minister replied: 

“To clarify for the deputy so that he knows, it is not our Department that is responsible; it is the Department of Housing. To help him again, Cork City Council is the responsible local authority.” 

Mr Buttimer added that TDs had a briefing with the chief executive of Cork City Council before Christmas, and he believed the council had now identified a site, and that work is ongoing.

He did not clarify which site had been identified, but there had been talks previously of using the former Counting House building on South Main Street.

Public representatives and community advocates have stated that a new build is the preferable option.

Mr Rice said that no one seemed to be responsible for the project. In response, Mr Buttimer said that he “delivers nothing but rhetoric.” The Social Democrat TD told The Echo after the interaction: “The real issue here is that no one will take responsibility for the new library. The Government says it is the responsibility of the City Council and the City Council says it is waiting on the government.

“The bottom line here is that it’s over five years since the Taoiseach announced the funding and there is no sign of the promised new library.” 

He added that this is not the only promised capital project for Cork city that has failed to materialise, mentioning the Events Centre, the motorway to Limerick, the homeless hub and UCC’s dental school.