New Chamber president wants clarity on events centre

Business communities in Cork are expecting news on the stalled events centre tomorrow.

That's according to the new President of Cork Chamber Paula Cogan as she was officially handed the presidential chain at the chamber’s 200th AGM last night.

She said: “The message from Cork Chamber is very clear. The commitments of all involved parties must be honoured and progressed with the utmost haste. We expect clarity from cabinet in Cork this Wednesday, on the administration and funding of the entre and this must be met with clarity on delivery.”

The sod was turned on the 6,000 seater project in February 2016, a move that has since been labelled a stunt as it happened a few days before the last general election.

Since then, the multi-million euro project has hit with numerous delays and false starts, including revised planning applications and delays in agreeing funding between the Government, Cork City Council, developers BAM and promoters Live Nation.

Meanwhile, the Sales Director at the Doyle Collection also spoke passionately last night about the need for active citizenship, sustainability and, most critically, delivery on commitments made if Cork is to excel on a global stage.

She added: “We must work increasingly harder to build consensus and trust in our companies, institutions and systems. Expectations have never been higher. They have also never been more varied in outlook. We must have confidence in the values in which we’ve been raised. We must speak with fair minded words. But ultimately to build trust we must deliver on our words.”

With delivery of Ireland 2040 fast becoming an area of concern for the business community President Cogan said: “It is essential that the commitments of Ireland 2040 are delivered, or our confidence will be undermined. Infrastructure is the neutral enabler. From bike schemes, to bus corridors and motorways, each has their part to play in creating a city that is globally magnetic.”