The programme will create more than 500 permanent jobs across the province, including 250 in Cork, while supporting more than 4,500 construction workers across the 25 developments.

“I know full well the necessity and importance of conserving and preserving their legacy and heritage, as we have done by naming various parts and dimensions of our city after both lord mayors," he said.

Cork City Council last week voted unanimously to place the old Cork Prison on its protected structures register.

“It is a pleasure to be with the Taoiseach,” Mayor Mamdani told reporters. “We also not only have celebrated Cork and Cork FC, but now we are going to get on the Subway."

Taoiseach holds talks with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome

On a wet Friday in Cork city, motorists in Blackpool and traders in a quiet English Market offered their opinions on the fuel protests