Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see the increase in funding, and I welcome it. Post Covid in particular, we need to rebuild the tourism sector. I am sure many Deputies are aware of the torrential rain on Sunday night in Cork city and the flooding that affected areas such as Hollyhill, Blackpool, Ballyphehane, Glanmire and other areas across the city. The flooding had a devastating impact on businesses and homes in the area. It is really difficult to attract tourism to areas that do not have the shops and facilities to go with it. Businesses lost floor stock and fittings. The Government has announced a potential humanitarian fund but the last time such a fund was announced for Cork, it excluded businesses, some of which were in the tourism industry. I ask the Minister to ensure that businesses affected by the flooding, including those in tourism, are able to access that humanitarian fund.

Almost one in five people who travel to Ireland visits Cork. Obviously it is a fabulous place, speaking as a Cork man. It is an incredibly popular spot but it has much more potential. I want to see more investment to deliver on the potential that we know Cork has. I will speak briefly about Shandon, an area close to where I live. Shandon is one of the most iconic areas of Cork and home to one of its most iconic buildings. It is a hugely historic site, with referencing dating back to the 12th century. There is not a part of Cork from which Shandon cannot be seen. It is home to the wonderful Shandon Sweets, run by Tony Linehan, as well as O'Connell Square, which is a prime example of land in the public realm that is ripe for improvement. There are the Butter Exchange, which dates back to 1770, the Shandon Bells and the church in which they are located, and Shandon cathedral. The area is so impressive but it needs investment to develop it as a tourist destination. Unfortunately, there are high levels of dereliction. The area needs to undergo regeneration to make Shandon the iconic tourist destination that is needed in the heart of Cork. There have been initiatives through the years, such as an artists' residence, for example, but they were only pilot projects. We need a long-term project. The National Tourism Development Authority, working with Cork City Council, could come into Shandon and make a real difference. We want to see increased funding. The Minister needs to consider whether it is time to start working to end the dereliction in Shandon that is a barrier to its potential as a centre for tourism. My office is on Shandon Street. It is an area that is steeped in history and tradition and has some brilliant people. With investment, and in conjunction with Cork City Council, we can have a thriving community and really deliver for tourism in Cork.

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