Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise on the Adjournment the issue of Cork docklands. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Killeen. Cork docklands are pivotal to the growth of Cork given the need for the city to develop and grow. They could have a profound impact on both the economic and physical force of Cork into the future. The docklands project in Cork concerns light rail, railways, homes, apartments and the completion of schools, hospitals and other social facilities.

It has been described as having the potential to be a vibrant urban quarter for Cork. The Government's inaction so far is a source of concern in respect of the regeneration of the Cork docklands area. Cork City Council and the people of Cork are looking for tax incentives. They were promised in the budget and the Finance Bill but we have seen nothing so far. I appreciate that Cork City Council is working with the Department of Finance in forwarding necessary documentation to the EU regarding state aid.

I have some questions for the Minister of State. Do all the tax incentives require EU permission and can any of them be given without EU permission? My next question concerns the gateway innovation fund which is necessary for the development of the two bridges. Where are we at this juncture and when will it be announced?

Cork City Council has heard nothing regarding tax incentives. If one looks at Dublin and other docklands projects in Ireland and England, one sees that they were kick started through tax incentives. Such tax incentives are not needed for the provision of hotels and apartments but for schools and other social facilities which are an important part of the Cork docklands regeneration.

The development of light rail and a link between Kent Station and the docklands is also an important part of this project. The Minister of State will agree that we must learn from the Dublin docklands development in the context of building first and putting in infrastructure later. Currently we have a brownfield site and four or five major developers with large land banks. Cork City Council requires two important elements — tax incentives, which will cost the Government nothing and infrastructural spending on the two bridges. I hope the infrastructure is put in place before anything else is done.

There was a suggestion by certain members of the Government parties that the EU is holding up the Cork docklands project but I believe that is a red herring and is nonsense. The project must be prioritised. The European Commission President, José Manuel Barroso, visited Cork recently and was impressed by the docklands project. Cork City Council has done all that is required so far. The economic study has been completed; planning applications have been put forward by one of the major developers, Howard Holdings, the north and south docklands local area plans are complete; and full consultation with the landowners has taken place. The authorities of the port of Cork, who had a major oral hearing with An Bord Pleanála, are in the process of trying to move the port downstream and Cork City Council is in advanced, regular contact with them.

I ask that the Government announces, without delay, the tax incentives for the docklands project, which is absolutely critical to Cork. The city is hemmed in by the county and there is no agreement between the city and county council regarding an extension to the boundary of the city. Therefore, the most natural way to go is to grow the city through the docklands and through the provision of various facilities, educational, medical, social and so forth. I hope the Government is favourably disposed and I ask that the Minister of State address the specific points I have raised in his reply.