I should like to give some of the time allotted to me to my colleague, Deputy Wallace, from the same constituency, to express his views on the matter. The withdrawal of the involvement of Power Securities in the development of Merchants Quay, Cork is a serious blow to a wonderful project that was well planned over a number of years. The development of office accommodation, shopping leisure facilities and a carpark complex was to be the biggest of its kind and at present-day values was estimated to cost £33 million. During its proposed construction over a three-year period it was estimated that 700 people would be directly employed and many more would be employed in the service industries. It was envisaged that when completed 2,000 jobs would be available.
Like many of the decisions taken by this Government so far as the Cork region is concerned, the decision not to go ahead with a commitment given by a Fianna Fáil Government to relocate An Foras Forbartha in 55,000 square feet of office and laboratory space was a severe disappointment. This project was first mooted in the 1960s when Clare Investments announced plans for a major development. Power Securities became joint developers and planning permission was granted in November 1981. It opened the way to what promised to be a huge centre city complex and the corporation's concern to get the project under way as soon as possible was expressed on many occasions. I lay the blame for the decision of Power Securities fairly and squarely on the Coalition Government. They have reneged on a firm commitment given by a Fianna Fáil Government to pre-let half of the office space for use by An Foras Forbartha. It was also to include the Department of Posts and Telegraphs and the Office of Public Works.
The question has already been raised as to what this Government intend to do in the Cork area. This is another glaring example of their gross neglect of Cork which has been highlighted on a number of occasions recently. One would imagine with the representation of the Coalition parties in the Cork city and county area — they have 12 seats out of 20 — that more would be done for the county. It appears their attitude is to let things slide because they have such a large number of seats. Are the voices of our colleagues in Fine Gael and Labour being heard by this Government? Have they any influence on the decisions being made regarding the Cork area?
It is obvious with each passing day and week that this Government are determined to downgrade the Cork area, to do as much harm to it as they can, either by their own actions or in collusion with some of the semi-State bodies. Let us take the example of B & I. Now we have no sea link with Britain, as we pointed out last week. Trade, commerce, tourism and industrial development in the area have been thrown to the wind by this Government. We were fortunate to get a warning from a source outside this country that another semi-State body was attempting to downgrade Cork in the matter of Cork Airport and the schedule of flights by Aer Lingus out of Cork to Europe and to Britain. The treatment being meted out to this area by the Government is becoming unbearable. People are becoming infuriated by the actions of the Government. I call on the Government now to stand by the commitment given by Fianna Fáil and to give some priority to the Cork area in the matter of employment, particularly in the construction industry.
Everyone knows that unemployment is rising so rapidly that the numbers are barely off the press when they have to be readjusted upwards. In common with the rest of the country Cork is suffering also. To add insult to injury, the Government parties have 12 Deputies out of 20 in the Cork area who are allowing this state of affairs to continue. For £1 million progress was stopped on the deep water berth at Ringaskiddy. That would have given employment to 200 people and there would have been more jobs in the service industries. The construction industry is one of the most labour-intensive industries. We have natural resources in our quarries and in our gravel and sand pits and many firms were organised to prepare and supply the basic requirements for development work in the construction industry. With regard to the gas pipeline, a Cork firm prepared the pipeline and carried out certain treatment works. I have learned that similar work in preparation for natural gas in Dublin will be done by a firm from outside the country. I should like the Minister to investigate this matter. This is something I heard but I have not got authentic confirmation of it.
In the budget the Government deferred the expenditure of £120 million estimated for projects in the economic and productive infrastructural categories. What about the proposed enlarged carriageway along Merchants Quay, which is now a restricted three-lane carriageway? Would some of the £120 million have been spent on that? Why has the IDA's allocation been cut by £6 million? Why was the decentralisation programme cancelled to save £5 million? Will they continuously add to the 10,000 people unemployed in the Cork area?
If the Minister of State, for political reasons, does not wish to have An Foras Forbartha in Cork, will he and the Minister endeavour to secure some alternative so that the complex can proceed and give badly-needed employment in the Cork area? I should like the Minister to tell me why this development was scuttled. Will he assure me that every effort will be made to ensure the successful completion of this complex?
I have already outlined the many projects and decisions taken by the Government which downgraded and set aside the Cork area. What spite, if that is the correct word, have the Government against the Cork area? After the debate last week on the B & I and our raising of this matter tonight, for which I thank the Ceann Comhairle, I hope it will be brought home to the Government that the 12 seats they hold out of the 20 in the Cork area are on a sandy foundation and will continue to be if they carry on with this charade. The Government may think it does not matter because they will not be looking for votes for four or five years, but if they continue the way they are going it will be months rather than years.
I should like to give some of my time to my colleague, Deputy Wallace. The Minister should make every effort to find some alternative to An Foras Forbartha so that the complex can go ahead. The relocation of An Foras Forbartha in Cork was the reason Power Securities pulled out.