Taoiseach 'hopes' to give event centre update soon

A Cork TD has slammed the Government for being unable to guarantee a prompt update on funding plans for the Cork events centre.

People Before Profit–Solidarity TD Mick Barry said it was “not good enough” that an Taoiseach Simon Harris was unable to confirm whether the Government would have news on the events centre before the summer recess.

On Tuesday in Dáil Éireann, Deputy Barry asked the Taoiseach when the Government would be able to provide an update on the issue of funding for the long-delayed centre.

Mr Barry said: “It’s now nearly eight and a half years since a clatter of politicians lead by Enda Kenny and Simon Coveney were photographed turning the sod in the run-up to a general election, and still to this day, not a single brick has been laid.”

Mr Barry then asked how much the events centre will cost the state.

He said: “The original plan was for €20 million. Over the years it has skyrocketed to €57 million. The state could have built it for less than that and held it in public ownership, but instead it chose to hand it over to a private operator.”

Responding to Deputy Barry, Mr Harris said he would be able to share details “very shortly” once he has received a final submission on this issue.

The Taoiseach said: “My department, for legacy reasons if you like, has a role in bringing this project forward and I do intend to bring a memorandum to Government on it very shortly. Once I’ve brought that final memorandum to Government and the Government has made a decision, I’m happy to share the details.”

As the mics in the Dáil were turned off, Deputy Barry was heard to ask: “Before the summer recess?”, to which Mr Harris replied, “That is my hope”.