Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste will be aware that Mallow will be added to the constituency I represent at the next general election. As a socialist, I will do my very best to represent and fight for the interests of ordinary people in this area. While I was happy to recently visit Mallow and introduce myself, I was disappointed to see a large derelict site halfway down the main street. On inquiry, I discovered that the old Central Hotel site has been in the hands of various private owners down the years and has been vacant and derelict for 16 years. What an insult to the people of Mallow. This could be a community centre. It could be turned into a park. It could be used for affordable apartments, shops or a hotel. I understand the owners bought it cheap and I think Cork County Council should use its compulsory purchase powers to buy it back cheap, take it into public ownership, put something useful in there for the people of the town.

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