In the programme for Government, it was clearly set out that there would be a task force set up to look at the revitalisation of Cork city centre. The Taoiseach has his own problems with calling it a task force, but a group should be set up to look at the revitalisation of the city centre. On Monday of this week, the Taoiseach was in Cork for the turning of the sod on the foundations of a 25-storey building which will have 217 apartments. This will be a welcome residential development in the city. My question is about the revitalisation of the city centre. It is not attractive for people to come into the city centre in real terms. We have already set up a task force for Dublin. It has given its report in which it set out a clear roadmap for delivery. When will this task force or group, which is in the programme for Government, going to be set up to look at the revitalisation of the city centre in Cork, to deal with the whole issue of vacant buildings and also to deal with derelict buildings? How can we work to develop those and to deliver new infrastructure as well? There are a lot of good projects on the cards, such as light rail. For instance, one area of the city where there has been revitalisation is McCurtain Street. However, if you go to McCurtain Street, there are still six or seven vacant buildings there. Likewise, another area to look at is Blackpool. It is part of the city where there has been very little real development in the sense of revitalisation. A task force or group would be important with regard to getting that up and running. Even if we set it up now, it will take six or months to produce a report and then there is the implementation and establishing a timescale for it. When is this group going to be set up? It will obviously be a joint approach between the city council, the Government, State agencies and the private sector. It is extremely important that we progress this project.

Sentiment score: 0.11