Several Cork business and hospitality groups have united to brand the latest delay in developing the Cork event centre as “yet another considerable setback”.
Despite assurances in recent weeks — from Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, former finance minister Michael McGrath, and former tánaiste Simon Coveney — that a decision on extra state aid would be made before the end of July, the revealed on Wednesday that a cabinet decision on it has been postponed until the autumn.
In a joint statement, Cork Chamber, the Cork Business Association, the Cork branch of the Irish Hotels Federation, the Vintners’ Federation of Ireland in Cork, and the Restaurants Association of Ireland, expressed disappointment at the latest delay.
“Despite significant funding commitments made by the private sector, the government continues to delay the decision around vital state funding for the events centre,” they said.
“The news that a decision on the provision of state funding is to be delayed further is yet another considerable setback to the project.
“We are calling for the government to bring the decision to the first Cabinet meeting after the summer recess.”
They said the proposed 6,000 capacity venue represents a critical piece of infrastructure for a rapidly growing city like Cork, that it would enhance the region’s competitiveness and attract vital talent and investment to the region. Their statement said:
“It will create thousands of jobs and countless opportunities for business development, providing a significant and sustained boost to the economy at local and national level.
“With the capacity to host major events all-year round, it will play a key role in sustaining and developing Cork’s tourism and hospitality sector, attracting visitors from across Ireland and abroad.
“The decision on the events centre has been lingering for far too long and must now be brought to a positive conclusion as soon as possible.”
The project’s sod was turned in 2016 but not a brick has been laid on its site on the former Beamish and Crawford land on South Main St.
An initial €20m State aid package was on offer, but that increased over the years to €57m by last year.
It is understood that following the completion of detailed design work last summer, extra state funding of up to €30m could be required.
Cork City Council, which is overseeing the process, completed a detailed review of the additional funding requirements and submitted its report to the department of local government last December but seven months on, the issue has to be signed off by cabinet.
Solidarity TD Mick Barry accused Cork’s senior politicians of “treating the people of the city like a bunch of fools”, a claim rejected by Tánaiste Micheál Martin.
Mr Martin said a meeting was held at Government level on Wednesday in relation to the centre and that there will be “further engagement” with the Taoiseach and other ministers going forward.
“We do want to bring it to a conclusion as quickly as we possibly can,” he said.
“As a member of this Government we have to deal with the issue that’s on the table before us. We will bring this to a conclusion.
He cited inflation as one of the factors creating a challenge around the centre. While not commiting to a timeline, Mr Martin said he would work to see the situation resolved “as quickly as we can”.