O’Keeffe calls for resolution to planning row threatening 1,500 jobs

ENTERPRISE Minister Batt O’Keeffe said he hopes a resolution can be found through discussion to a planning impasse that is threatening the creation of some 1,500 jobs in Cork.

Mr O’Keeffe declined to comment directly on the National Roads Authority’s (NRA) objection to a €200 million office project in Mahon, citing fears about traffic congestion on the N25 South Ring Road. “The NRA is an independent body. It would be remiss of me to comment on any objection from the NRA,” the minister said.

“The important thing is that if the NRA has concerns, that these matters are being resolved through discussion.

“That is not to say that one doesn’t support any local developer who is creating jobs.

“I am not aware of the levels at which the discussions are now at. I hope that we can find a resolution that would be to the satisfaction of both sides.”

He was speaking at the official opening of global technology security giant McAfee’s new offices at City Gate in Mahon.

A total of 280 people are employed in the 45,000sq ft office which supports the company’s inside sales team servicing mid-market customers in Europe, the Middle-East and Africa.

However, the NRA has appealed to An Bord Pleanála a decision by Cork City Council to grant planning permission to John Cleary Developments for another major office project nearby, which has the potential to create some 1,500 jobs.

The NRA said its experience of traffic congestion on the M50 was a key reason in its decision to appeal this project.

It has already objected to residential plans by O’Flynn Construction at Dunkettle and by McCarthy Developments at Mahon.

The president of Cork Chamber last week criticised the NRA for objecting to the projects which have the potential to create thousands of jobs.

Ger O’Mahoney described the objections as “incomprehensible” and said it is not acceptable that development projects which have huge job potential are jeopardised.

But Mr O’Keeffe said safety will have to be a feature of any development in the area.

“The traffic and throughput will have to be managed, but it is for the technical people and An Bord Pleanála to make a determination,” he said.