The multi-million Cork event centre project has cleared a major funding hurdle as contract talks on the massive piece of infrastructure reach a critical stage.

An emergency council meeting on the Cork event centre saga has been ruled out, despite mounting criticism from independent councillors, furious about being kept in the dark on the tender process.

The developer behind one of two multi-million event centres proposed for Cork City has warned against a “public spat” after several prominent business owners united to support his rival.

Several influential business owners have backed one of two rival developers who are bidding for €16m in public funding to help build a conference centre in Cork.

An Bord Pleanála has given the green light for a €50m events and conference centre in Cork City.