David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this topic this morning and the Minister of State for being here to respond. I am concerned by the decision by the Minister to issue direction to Cork County Council on the matter of section 31 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. That is following the recommendations of the Office of the Planning Regulator with regard to the Cork county development plan, which was recently adopted by the authority's members. The Minister received recommendations from the Office of the Planning Regulator to exercise his functions under the provisions of section 31 of the Act to delete certain paragraphs from the plan and also to delete the amended and additional provisions for retail outlet centres under MA 1.9.20, including objective TCR 10.2 on retail outlet centres and associated matters.

This means there is a stall put on the aspirations of the planning authority, which is Cork County Council, to make provisions for the development of a retail centre near Carrigtwohill. I am sure the Minister of State is very familiar with the outlet centre in Kildare, as I am. It is extremely popular and many people go there. They may not buy a lot but they might walk around if it is a nice day. Sometimes people cannot even get parking. Many people from the south of the country, including the Minister of State's constituency and mine, travel to that outlet. We are interested in having a similar centre, although perhaps not to such a scale, in the Cork and Carrigtwohill region.

I understand a draft direction was issued and it is open to public consultation for two weeks, after which the council has four weeks to prepare a response. The Office of the Planning Regulator will then have another three weeks to advise the Minister, after which he will give a final direction. This is in spite of a number of High Court rulings that quashed similar directions made by the Minister last year. There is a history here and I do not want to get into it too much because other legal proceedings may be ongoing and initiated by the council to clarify the matters.

My concern is that if the current direction is upheld, it will, in effect and at best, stall for an indefinite period the development of an outlet centre in the east Cork area. At worst, the opportunity to construct a €100 million centre could be lost forever. My interest is in the potential to create 850 jobs and the further development of tourism and business in the area, which will see a large rise in population in the next decade. Another recommendation of the Office of the Planning Regulator, which needs to be dealt with, demands very high density of housing in the area. That could forestall any housing being built.

Coupled with the rise of the cruise liner trade to Cobh, the potential for this centre is enormous. All we have to do is look at the success of the outlet centre in Kildare and the fact it has increased more than once in size, such is the demand form the public. The people want this. Why are we in the south of the country to be denied such a similar facility, which would complement what is already on offer in the area. The Acting Chairman is also familiar with the likes of the wildlife park at Fota Island, Spike Island and Barryscourt Castle, which is to reopen shortly. There is also the beautiful town of Cobh with its magnificent cathedral, the heritage centre and botanic experience, as well as the Jameson centre in Midleton. Cork city would also benefit.

I ask the Minister to keep an open mind on the benefits of such a centre.

The Office of the Planning Regulator may not always be right. We must also take into account the views and wishes of the elected members of Cork County Council who have worked long and hard on the development plan they have adopted. They know their area very well. I understand it is not possible for the Minister to withdraw the direction once it is signed but I want to put on the record the need to tread very carefully from here on out . Does the Minister have to obey the Office of the Planning Regulator, OPR, without question?

We should at least let this go to planning and not stop it at this stage. Let it go into the planning process. It might end up with An Bord Pleanála but so be it. To kill the concept at this stage before it even gets a chance to get off the block is not right.

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