Work on Cork taskforce 'ongoing' as Fine Gael appoints first ever spokesperson on city

Irish Examiner

3 days ago

Fine Gael has appointed its first ever spokesperson on Cork with the Tánaiste insisting that work is ongoing to establish the city taskforce his party promised within the first 100 days of government.
Simon Harris was speaking during a visit to Cork on Friday as he announced that Cork North Central TD Colm Burke will play a leading role in ensuring that the 'issues that matter most to the people of Cork are front and centre of the government's agenda'.
In the run-up to the general election last November, Fine Gael ministers Helen McEntee and Paschal Donohoe announced their party's commitment to the establishment of a new Cork City Taskforce within the first 100 days of government to rejuvenate the city centre and drive major infrastructure projects.
That 100-day deadline passed in early May.
Mr Harris insisted that the taskforce is still 'a very clear commitment' in the program for government but said there is still a bit of work to be done on it.
Simon Harris said Colm Burke (pictured) brings a wealth of experience to the new role as Fine Gael spokesperson on Cork and that one of the areas that must be prioritised is the delivery of the new taskforce. File picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos
He said Mr Burke, a former senator and minister, brings a wealth of experience to the new role as Fine Gael spokesperson on Cork and that one of the areas that must be prioritised is the delivery of the new taskforce.
'This is something that government is working on and I think the example we have seen in Dublin shows that a taskforce will benefit businesses and communities alike,' he said.
'We have seen the difference it can make in Dublin this week, where government, local government and community stakeholders, work together and say 'what's our common vision – let's stop this silo (thinking), that's a job for the council, that's a job for the government, that's a job for somebody else – let's actually pull together and say where do we want the city to be over the next 10 to 15 years.
'We've now done it in Dublin. It needs to happen in Cork.'
He declined to discuss in detail its funding allocation, pending a detailed analysis of what might be required, or to comment on whether the establishment of a 'special purpose vehicle' will be required through which the funding would be channelled.
But he said the model followed by the Dublin taskforce could be replicated in the second city.
He said:
The Dublin plan looks at a variety of things, as I imagine a Cork one would too. It looks at dereliction, at vacancy, at how you can bring landmark buildings back into use.
'It looks at how you can have a common vision for your city. It looks at safety and policing. It looks at a whole variety of things.'
But he added: 'The government will have to consider when it wants to press go on that (the Cork taskforce) in due course, and then obviously the composition of it as well.'
Mr Burke said with a growing population, Cork needs to see the development of key infrastructure such as the Cork to Limerick road and the northern distributor road for the area to thrive.
'I am committed to working with the businesses across Cork, who have given such vibrancy to the region,' he said.
'Our pharmaceutical, IT, and service industries are thriving, and we want to see new locations identified to ensure continued development of this industry and all businesses in Cork.'