Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will examine the matter but I want to give the Deputy an illustration. When the county managers came to me many years ago regarding Spike Island - I believe Senator McDowell was the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform at the time - Cork County Council did not hang around and was not worried about the cost implications of taking over the site. It saw the potential in it, took it over and it is now a major visitor attraction. I said to Deputy McNamara previously that Clare County Council needs to get on with it and take over the Shannon Heritage facilities. We will see what we can do in respect of subvention. We have not been found wanting in terms of capital allocations to local authorities, even in the past two years, on a whole range of projects. I would advise the council to go for it.

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