KENNY NEEDS TO CLARIFY IF FG ARE BACKING GEORGE LEE OR CLLR MURPHY ON CORK DOCKLANDS – O’FLYNN

During his address to the Cork Business Association, Deputy Lee said the focus should shift away from seeking Government funding for the docks regeneration. His remarks were rubbished by Cork Mayor Dara Murphy who said, "[Mr. Lee] clearly doesn't know a lot about the docklands."

Cllr. Murphy was also quoted as saying, "I have spoken to the party front bench and I am happy that the party is firmly behind the docklands plan."

"What we're getting from Fine Gael is two different messages on the subject of the Cork Docklands," said Deputy O'Flynn. "On the one hand we have George Lee saying that the people of Cork shouldn't be looking for Government funding for the project. Then on the other hand we have Cllr. Murphy saying that Mr. Lee doesn't know what he's talking about and that Fine Gael are behind the project."

"I think we all deserve to know the real Fine Gael position on the project and I am calling on Enda Kenny to set out if he is supporting Deputy Lee's comments or if he is backing Cllr. Murphy. The people of Cork deserve to know whether Fine Gael are behind the project or not."

"As someone who has been lobbying for a great deal of time to secure funding for the Cork Docklands Regeneration I have to say I was extremely annoyed by Deputy Lee's comments in particular. In that sense it does sound like Cllr. Murphy was right and Deputy Lee doesn't know what he is talking about. However I think we will need to hear from Enda Kenny on this subject if we are to really know where Fine Gael stand and what they are proposing for the project."

"As the person who first proposed the regeneration of the Cork Docklands in 1999 I am fully supportive of Cork City Council's plans and I hope Deputy Kenny is also," Deputy O'Flynn concluded.