Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for attending to deal with the issue. I wish to outline my concern at the situation regarding the community swimming pool in Dunmanway. I was informed a few years ago by the then Minister, Deputy O'Donoghue, that refurbishment work would be carried out on the pool and subsequent to that there was a possibility that a brand new pool would be built. The pool serves a population of approximately 40,000 to 50,000 people, depending on how one looks at it. People from Macroom, Kinsale and all over west Cork use the pool. It is a valuable asset to the town of Dunmanway and the hinterland as well as the entire area of west Cork.

At one stage a clear commitment was given by the then Minister to provide the maximum grant aid available, which at that time was in the region of €3.8 million, provided that Cork County Council prioritised it. I understand that Cork County Council had prioritised both Cobh and Youghal, and Dunmanway was next in line. That was four years ago. I hope the Minister will have some positive news for me on the Dunmanway swimming pool project.