Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter. I also welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady. It is ironic that the Minister of State also responded to a similar Adjournment matter I raised on 16 June last regarding the Cork docklands. Given the economic recession, it is fitting to note that Cork City Council and the Port of Cork have reached agreement regarding the docklands. In her previous reply to me on this issue, the Minister of State noted that redevelopment of the Cork docklands was identified as a priority in the national development plan and the national spatial strategy.

I will add to that by observing that Cork is the second city of our country. It is the gateway to Munster and the southern region and in many people's eyes is the real capital. However, this is a serious motion. It is important, given the point the Minister of State made in her previous response to the effect that the project has been identified in the national development plan and the spatial strategy, that Cork as a gateway city should receive support from the Government in the provision of funding for the docklands project and the eastern gateway bridge. The docklands project is pivotal to the growth of Cork's population. It will be an instrumental driver of the Cork economic region and will create thousands of jobs, add thousands of houses and create a vibrancy in Cork city that has not been experienced for a long time.

I acknowledge the establishment of the Cork Docklands Development Forum. However, we still await publication of its report. The report's contents and the reason it cannot be published rapidly are becoming additional secrets of Fatima.. The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Martin, recently spoke about the entire issue being changed. However, the fundamentals have not changed in that Cork City Council this week entered an agreement with the Port of Cork. This enables the relocation of port activities and in addition, RPIF plc, or Topaz, has intimated that it is preparing a planning application. The plan by Topaz will allow the freeing up of 50% of the land in the docklands. This means that private investment is coming and one now awaits public investment through Government funding. I have raised this matter numerous times on the Adjournment since I became a Member of this House. The eastern gateway bridge and the docklands development are tied as a key indicator in the development of Cork, advancing the city and creating a new urban hub.

The Minister of State knows the extent of unemployment, which has hit Cork particularly hard. The development is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build another major pillar to spread the city given that we cannot get agreement with Cork County Council on the extension of the boundary. This development is the only opportunity to organise and regenerate Cork city further.

We need triggers and stimulus plans. We need opportunities to put Cork forward as the gateway to the south. An announcement was made concerning the ferry last week but we are still awaiting the debt free airport development and the independent autonomy of that. The docklands is the catalyst that can be used in creating a new Cork.

I reserve my comments until I hear the reply of the Minister of State. I hope she has good news because we need good news regarding the promotion of this plan by the Government. I look forward to the reply of the Minister of State.

Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)
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On a point of information, the bad news is that Cork is the third city after Belfast. Up the Republic.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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To us it is a major city and the only city that matters. After last weekend people in Donegal cannot really comment.

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Buttimer for the opportunity to restate the Government's firm commitment to the development of key city centre sites in the gateway cities and its recognition of the significant potential and opportunities afforded by the Cork docklands development project. The redevelopment of Cork docklands has been identified as a priority project in the 2002 national spatial strategy, the 2006 gateway investment priority study and more recently in the national development plan 2007-13, acknowledging the significant potential to accelerate the city's growth through targeted investment in regenerating the docklands area by means of roads, bridges, public transport and water services, which will in turn trigger private development and investment.

As Ireland's second city, Cork has the potential to create a second major internationally competitive node of development in Ireland, both by itself and as a key linked gateway city along the Atlantic gateway corridor. Building on the significant progress and planning made by the two councils under the Cork area strategic plan, the Government established the Cork Docklands Development Forum in 2007. It was tasked with promoting effective co-ordination and delivery of sustainable investment by the State in key infrastructure to facilitate and realise docklands regeneration. The forum also addressed options for incentives to overcome barriers to development of the area. The forum submitted its report last year, setting out the policy and economic rationale for the regeneration project. Among its outputs were identification of economic and other drivers essential to realising the docklands vision; identification and costing of critical public infrastructure required over the lifetime of the project, to at least 2027, to underpin subsequent private investment; consideration of significant constraints on barriers to the intended development; consideration of how this redevelopment might be incentivised; and recommendations regarding institutional arrangements to bring the project forward. The report envisaged significant investment in public infrastructure, including the proposed eastern gateway bridge and link roads as well as possible supports for the relocation of port and other activities. While funding decisions on the bridge and the port relocation projects submitted under the gateway innovation fund have been deferred, the Finance Bill 2009 provided for a tax incentive scheme to solicit the relocation of Seveso-listed industrial facilities that hinder the regeneration of docklands in urban areas. The scheme is subject to European Commission clearance regarding compliance with State aid rules.

The Government has committed significant resources in the Cork area to improve water services, under the Department's water services investment programme and the enhancement of public transport services under Transport 21. Furthermore my Department is continuing to work closely with the councils and, in particular, with the special directorate and docklands policy committee to move the project forward.

The Cork docklands area has also been designated as one of the strategically located developing areas under the Government's developing areas initiative. The Government remains fully behind the redevelopment of the Cork docklands as a means to creating a sustainable and compact urban city that would be attractive to prospective investment and its residents. The interdepartmental group established by the Government and chaired by my Department to consider the analysis and recommendations in the report is urgently considering the enabling measures that can be put in place to progress development in the Cork docklands.

Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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This is a non-reply. Once again, the Government has made pious platitudes. Will this be another missed opportunity in the regeneration and development of Cork? Will we have mere words? I do not mean to be disrespectful to the Minister of State but this is a carbon copy of the reply received in June and October 2008.

This is an opportunity to create a stimulus plan for the Cork region. This is not just about Cork but about the province of Munster. We are missing this opportunity. Senator Boyle and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, refer to renegotiation of the programme for Government but we cannot get a reply about the Cork docklands. I know this matter does not concern the Department of the Minister of State but this is a very disappointing reply. I will keep raising the matter and I will keep asking Deputy Gormley about this. He should attend this House to explain why he is not prepared to move on this matter.