During his visit to Cork last Friday, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern officially confirmed the establishment of the Cork Docklands Development Forum.

Speaking on Cork, Mr Ahern said, "I am also delighted that Professor Gerry Wrixon has agreed to chair the forum and I have no doubt that he will ensure this landmark Cork project is progressed without delay."

The Taoiseach added, "This new forum is being established to oversee and drive development of the Cork Docklands area by bringing together senior representatives of the key government departments with stakeholders from the local authorities, and the community and business sectors. The wide range of experience of the participants will ensure that the redeveloped Docklands will become a new hub of activity for all Cork people."

The Taoiseach said that he expected that the forum would meet early next month and report back to Government by June 2008.

Cork Chamber Chief Executive, Conor Healy welcomed the announcement saying, "The Chamber has long advocated the need for this forum as a means of bringing together all the key local stakeholders as well as central government in order to drive the project forward. As a representative of the business community on the forum, I look forward to the forum delivering on its objectives in promoting the effective co-ordination and delivery of the Docklands project".

He added, "However, while today's announcement is welcome, the Chamber has long been a proponent of the view that in Budget 2008 and Finance Act 2008, Government needs to deliver a number of targeted financial incentives to progress this project in a timely fashion".

Mr Healy's demands for incentives were backed by Fine Gael TD Deirdre Clune who said, "The importance of the Cork Docklands development to the city and the region cannot be understated. It has the potential to benefit Munster in the same way that the Irish Financial Services Centre boosted economic development in Dublin.

"However, the docklands is a brown field site location which presents significant barriers to development that need to be overcome. These include the relocation of chemical-related Seveso activities, the remediation of contaminated land and the relocation of port related activities. That is why the provision of business development incentives would be so crucial.

"If Cork is to move forward and continue to develop as a modern European city providing high-quality employment opportunities, the dockland development must be a national as well as a local priority. The forthcoming budget will be an opportunity for the Government to show its commitment to regional development."

She concluded, "The establishment of the forum is a necessary step in this direction but we need additional incentives to help overcome the obstacles to the development of area. In the long run we also require the Government to give the area further incentives to encourage companies involved in innovation, particularly in research and development, to establish facilities in the area".

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