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

I thank the Minister of State for her response. I acknowledge that there are legal issues involved and an ongoing statutory process, which I respect and agree with. The reason I have raised this issue is because, as the Minister of State acknowledged, this is a major issue for the area and the country.

We have to see where the balance lies. The members of Cork County Council are democratically elected. The vast majority of them, having spent a long time discussing and debating the matter, recommended that zoning go ahead to allow this to happen. In my view, that is democracy in action at the lowest level and we should respect that.

From an environmental point of view, it will keep people in the south of Ireland. It is envisaged that there could be 220,000 visitors to the centre annually. It would generate more economic activity in the south of Ireland and benefit the city and surrounding towns. As I said, there are now 100 cruise liners coming into Cobh every year, a figure which will grow. Those people would make a beeline to the centre. I mentioned earlier that 850 jobs are involved, which is also important.

The whole region is going to expand. The feedback I have received from constituents is that people want this in the area. On top of that, as I said it will be good for the whole region because it will grow enormously. There are plans for thousands of houses in the Midleton-Water-rock area. Irish Water has now, thankfully, decided to put in a pipeline which will enable development to happen. However, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Eamon Ryan, has decided to block the upgrade of a road for the time being. That has the danger of stymieing growth.

I have had that discussion on and off with the Minister. We hope, to pardon the pun, the roadblock will be removed shortly and we will see the badly needed housing development go ahead. The rail link is due to be electrified and there will be rail services every 15 minutes, which is fantastic. There is a lot of potential and positivity, but this development has to be part of it.

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