Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Chair for the opportunity to raise this important matter. I am pleased my constituency colleague, Deputy Micheál Martin, is here to address the issue, as I know he has supported the Cork docklands project since its infancy.

Cork docklands represent an area of approximately 166 hectares in the middle of Cork city, with more than 4 km of waterfront. The area includes the south and north docks. The plan for the regeneration of the Cork docklands area provides for the development of residential units which could cater for up to 15,000 people. Such a development would create thousands of jobs, would involve the development of an integrated transport network and a convention centre and would help to stem the recent decline in the population of Cork city.

At the outset, I wish to pay tribute to the work of Cork City Council and in particular that of the docklands directorate it established in recent years to promote and lead this project thus far. In particular, I pay tribute to the leadership shown by the council's director of services, Pat Ledwidge, and the city manager Joe Gavin. Without their work on the Cork docklands project, it would be but a pipe dream. They published a Cork docklands development strategy in 2001, a Cork docklands economic study in 2007 and a south docks local area plan in 2008.

For many years, the importance of the Cork docklands project has been recognised in local, regional and national strategy documents, including the Cork area's strategic plan, the national spatial strategy, which recognised Cork as a gateway city, and the national development plan, which recognises the importance of the Cork docklands project. In recognition of this and of the work undertaken by Cork City Council, last year the former Taoiseach established the national steering forum for the Cork docklands project. I understand the forum's report, which has become known as the Wrixon report as it was chaired by Professor Gerry Wrixon, was completed in recent months and has been submitted to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

The forum conducted its work in a representative fashion. Its membership included the city and county managers, representatives of Cork Chamber of Commerce, the Port of Cork and six Departments, as well as local landowners and community representatives. It had a broad membership and its report has been submitted to the Department recently. However, it has yet to be published and the Minister should address the issue of when it will be published. Elements of it have been leaked to the media and one can only assume such reports have been accurate. For instance, they set out that the report provides for an investment by the State of up to €615 million in the years to 2020 on the construction of three bridges, three roads, public transport, water, schools and so on. The report also is alleged to have recommended the establishment of a new body to oversee the development of the docklands during the next 20-year period and that planning control should remain with Cork City Council.

There has been some debate in Cork as to whether the lead implementing agency should be Cork City Council or a national body. I believe that notwithstanding the immense work done by the city council to date, advancing this project through the barriers and obstacles will require national input and leadership along the lines recommended by the forum report that was published.

I welcome the progress that has been made to date, particularly in respect of the Minister's intention to introduce tax incentives for the SEVESO-listed sites that form part of the Cork docklands area, subject to the approval of the European Commission. There are three such sites within the Cork docklands area and their removal would address a key barrier to the future development of the docklands area. As the Minister is aware, the Cork docklands project is of national significance and at a time of recession in particular, it represents a not-to-be-missed opportunity for our city and region and I look forward to the Minister's reply.

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