Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to raise this issue again. The Minister is familiar with the Cork docklands, which lie to the east of the city. The area has been recognised by both local authorities in the Cork region as having the potential for development. For more than six years, the authorities have promoted it and succeeded in gaining priority recognition for it in the national development plan, the spatial strategy and the Government's submission on the EU regional aid map from 2007 to 2013.

That 95% of the area is privately owned makes it different from the Dublin docklands. A commitment to physical infrastructure is necessary to trigger private investment. Cork has been designated as one of nine gateways under the national development plan. The gateway innovation fund could be used to provide funding for infrastructure in the docklands area. While gateway funding has been postponed until 2010, I request a Government commitment to funding infrastructure in the area, in particular the eastern gateway bridge proposed by Cork city and county councils. The proposal has been submitted to the Department of Finance. Of the major planning applications in the pipeline, some are being examined while others have been granted permission. A Government commitment would be a small step in the right direction.

The national development plan states:

The key challenge for Cork over the period to 2013 will be to significantly accelerate its rate of development and population growth, focusing particularly on the potential of its central area. The Docklands, in particular, has the capacity to accommodate an additional population of at least 15,000 people and significant commercial floor space but investment in physical infrastructure to trigger subsequent private investment is necessary.

This makes my case for me.

The docklands forum was established and has reported to the Government, but we are awaiting the report's publication. I recognise the difficulty regarding sites as outlined by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement. While I am sure that it applies in the case of all docklands, the issue is of particular concern in respect of the Cork docklands. I speak for many people in the area when asking that a commitment be given to provide funding for an eastern gateway bridge. This request comes from the city council, the Cork Chamber of Commerce, business interests and everyone interested in seeing the area developed, as it is Cork's future. The docklands' significant potential has been well documented and gateway funding would trigger private development.

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