Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the programme for Government, there are commitments on urban renewal specifically regarding under-used buildings and also commitments on town and village renewal. While we have heard different announcements on town and village renewal, they have not translated onto the ground in Macroom and other regional towns. On the main street in Macroom, there are now up to 50 vacant commercial units. The Taoiseach will have seen some of them himself as he walked the main street recently. We have lost five businesses, including a veterinarian, an electrical shop and others in recent months. It is of concern to people as they see more and more closed doors and the loss of services. Even the Briery Gap theatre has been closed for several years. The aim of the commitments in the programme for Government was to improve the living and working environment for people. When will those commitments translate into changes on the ground for people in Macroom and when will we see progress?

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