Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for again allowing me to raise the issue of the publication of the Cork docklands forum report. The development of the Cork docklands is critical in terms of infrastructure and employment. Cork is the country's second city and, under the national spatial strategy, a gateway city. It is the obvious counterfoil to Dublin.

In 2007, the Government established the Cork Docklands Development Forum, and herein lies the tale. The forum's report, now completed, is lying in the Minister of State's Department. Cork City Council has done all the preparatory work, namely, the establishment of different fora, reports, task forces and a directorate to ready the docklands for development. The project has the potential to create approximately 20,000 jobs in the city and to be a stimulus to propel Cork forward. The area is the last available land for the development and regeneration of Cork city.

Why has the forum's report not been published? Of what is the Government afraid and from what is the Minister, Deputy Gormley, hiding? We have been given different dates for the report's publication. Last October, I raised the matter by way of an Adjournment debate and the House was told that the report had been submitted in July 2008. Subsequently, I was told that an interdepartmental group would meet and publish a response to the report. Has it met, what was the nature of the meeting, has the group concluded its deliberations and has it reported to the Minister?

Through the construction of the eastern gateway bridge, the docklands will be an opportunity to bring Cork forward. At a time when unemployment in the city is staggeringly high, the development would afford us an opportunity to regenerate Cork, the only city with a decreasing population. It is necessary for Cork that the docklands are developed. Movement is necessary and Government commitment to infrastructural development is vital. There has been a lot of debate on the docklands and much debate will continue on who will drive the project forward, be it the city council or a newly created powerful agency, which is a contentious point.

At a time of economic recession, every opportunity must be taken to allow Cork to develop. This project is of paramount importance and investment is necessary.

Publication of this report will be a trigger for the redevelopment of Cork. I have a copy of the leaked report with me in the Chamber. It was published in a national newspaper. The Minister will see that the report is a huge tome. If I and journalists can get a copy of the report, why can it not be published by the Government? I appreciate that this does not relate to the Minister of State's Department and that she is deputising for the Minister, but I look forward to her reply.