John Perry (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fine Gael)

In 2004 the Sligo Borough Council embarked on the development of plans for the social, economic and physical regeneration of Cranmore, in Sligo city. From this overall development plan, came a social plan and a physical plan. Both these plans included ideas for economic development. The social plan was adopted September 2007. I am happy to acknowledge that it is now being implemented.

The plan for the social regeneration of Cranmore is an integral part of wider plans for the integrated development of Sligo , and particularly the eastern side of Sligo city. The economic viability of the wider plan has been tested and accepted. Investment in the physical regeneration of Cranmore and a new eastern bridge are integral elements of the plan. The national spatial strategy and plans for the future development of the eastern side of Sligo city include additional road transport links to all the public services and facilities on the eastern side of Sligo, such as the hospital, the Institute of Technology and many of the major employers in Sligo. These road links are important to the overall development of both Sligo town and Sligo county. An eastern bypass for traffic wishing to pass through Sligo is also an important objective of the planning for the region, including travellers to and from Northern Ireland and tourists. It is much needed.

In December 2008 a majority of borough councillors voted to remove the eastern bridge from the plan. We need not enquire into how and why this decision was made. However, the decision was made. This decision has thrown the entire plan for the regeneration of Cranmore and the development of the eastern side of Sligo into confusion. The decision has stalled all practical progress on the regeneration of Cranmore. There is little evidence that the decision to remove the eastern bridge from the development plan for the eastern side of Sligo has brought any benefit to the future for Sligo town and county. There are some voices saying that the decision has damaged the credibility of Sligo as a serious location for future economic development and the gateway status of the region.

I can understand that a small number of people will be upset by the plans for the new eastern bridge. All development brings advantages and disadvantages. The reality on the ground is that Sligo city is built on a narrow bit of land between the sea and Lough Gill. This is the fundamental reason why the town is located where it is. We do not have the luxury of going east or west until we find a crossing point that will be acceptable to everyone and will impact on no one. Nor will the country offer to build a tunnel under Sligo so that the construction of new bridges can be avoided. Geography is a fact of life. There are very few suitable locations for building bridges across the River Garavogue.

I am delighted to see the Minister of State, Deputy Finneran, who has responsibility for this matter in the House. During a visit to Sligo last year, the Minister of State made it very clear that if the bridge was not put back on the development plan, the funding for the regeneration would be gone. During the visit, the Minister of State may have indicated that the project investment will come from two different streams of funding and departments. This, in turn, had the unintended consequence of allowing some people to claim that Cranmore regeneration and the eastern bridge are independent projects. This is not true.

Over €100 million of investment funding is at stake here. The various elements of the project have been through the planning process. Everything is formally approved. Almost all the statutory approvals are in place and nearly everything is ready for the project investment to proceed.

The economic and social wellbeing of the eastern side of Sligo city, as well as the county and region, is held back at the moment and access to the services and facilities on the eastern side of Sligo are restricted. With the present restricted transport arrangements, it is too difficult for most of the people of Sligo to get to the Hospital, to the IT campus, to St. Angela's College and to most of the major employers in the town. All these facilities must have good access routes.

This matter is one of those rare occasions where I am speaking in support of the Minister of State and what I believe to be his policy of investing in local infrastructure to the benefit of all the citizens of Sligo. Sligo needs this investment funding. There are thousands unemployed and thousands facing economic hardship. This investment will bring jobs and hope to Sligo town and Sligo county.

I ask the Minister of State to make a clear and categorical statement about the circumstances under which the investment funding for Cranmore regeneration will be released. This investment is needed in Sligo. This investment will bring major benefits to Sligo city and county. Will the Minister confirm that he is now prepared to issue a ministerial order to permit this investment in the development of Sligo to proceed?

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