asked the Minister for Industry, Trade, Commerce and Tourism when he turned the sod on the site of the proposed enterprise centre at North Mall, Cork; when the centre will be operational; if his Department have received applications for industrial activity therein; and, if so, the number of such applications.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Enterprise Centre.
3.
The Minister, Deputy Bruton, turned the sod for the Industrial Development Authority's enterprise centre at the North Mall, Cork, on 30 October 1984. I am informed by the authority that the centre is nearing completion and should be ready for occupation before the end of this year.
There are no proposals at present for the establishment of projects in the centre; However, the IDA are already preparing a marketing programme to promote the centre on its completion.
The enterprise centre at North Mall is so relevant to the situation in Cork and I am disappointed——
A question, please.
I am glad that my question elicited the information that 12 months on from the turning of the sod the little site is nearing completion ——
A question.
Stop interrupting me like a good man. Obviously you do not like any little preambles at all.
I do not mind a brief preamble but I do not like long, delaying preambles.
I want to ask the Minister of State to ensure that every effort is being made to encourage the development of the enterprise centre in North Mall. Will he give me that assurance?
I am very pleased to give the Deputy that assurance and I am sure that he will concur with me that the efforts made by this Government to ensure the progress of an industrial enterprise in Cork will be continued. I point out to him that the present centre is constructed on 1.9 acre site which forms part of an industrial site of 7.5 acres. He will be pleased to know that outline planning permission to develop the balance has been received. The total building area now being completed is 32,600 square feet divided into the following: 15 units of 348 square feet, six units of 360 square feet, eight units of 680 square feet and eight units of 950 square feet. I am sure the Deputy will be pleased also to have heard the announcement of the Minister, Deputy Bruton, yesterday with regard to the creation of 500 new jobs under the small industries programme under which Cork will be a major beneficiary.
I detect a slight imbalance in the rulings of the Chair in that the Minister of State can make such statements while I am not permitted to say anything relevant except to ask a question. I could comment on the figures the Minister has issued.
The Deputy should listen to me for a moment. The Chair does not have any control over the way questions are answered. He has views about these things. An absence of preamble, shorter and to the point questions and answers giving information would speed up Question Time.
In deference to every Deputy the Chair said earlier that he wanted to get as many questions as possible answered and he should convey those remarks to the Government side of the House.
I have done so.
The Minister should answer my question. How many applications have been received for industrial activity in the North Mall enterprise centre? I have not been given the number.
If the Deputy had listened he would have heard the Minister giving him the information he sought.
The Minister did not give me the number for the enterprise centre. There was a lot of bunkum about Donegal and coming down to Cork to announce such things, but Cork will not recover with that sort of behaviour.
I am anxious to assist the Deputy. In my reply I said there are no proposals at present for the establishment of projects in this centre.
That means none.
Twelve months on.
However, the IDA are preparing a marketing programme to promote the centre on its completion. I am sure the Deputy realises that it is important that we have the units there and I am confident that the Mall will be full within a couple of years.
And the Minister will not be in charge when it is full.