Website to reach out to ‘Lee-aspora’

THE rebel politician behind the Cork passport idea has forked out a few bob to secure a new website to ensure her proposal reaches the global Lee-aspora.

The news emerged last night as revised tourism plans for the historicShandon quarter wereunveiled.

The city council’s tourism unit, TEAM, said that following talks with Fáilte Ireland, it has developed a new project for Shandon which revolves around the concept of the origins of the Irish, and the impact of the Irish diaspora.

They said the proposal will ensure that reduced funding for heritage, tourism and public realm projects is maximised, and will link in with other attractions in Corkharbour.

City manager Tim Lucey said it could become a national genealogy centre.

Fine Gael councillor Laura McGonigle said her passport concept would fit perfectly with the project.

“So committed am I to the idea, that over the weekend I purchased the domain name www.corkpassport.com,” she said.

“This is an exceptional opportunity for the Cork diaspora or “Lee-aspora” to remember their rebel roots, by purchasing a Cork Passport, and at the same time,giving back a little bit to their home city.”

Her proposed Certificate of Corkness, which has been dubbed the Cork passport, was discussed at last night’s council meeting.

She said the idea isinspired by the Government’s decision earlier this year to launch a Certificate of Irish Heritage scheme for the global Irish diaspora, estimated at some 700million.

“Anybody applying for the Certificate of Corkness will have to provide proof of their Cork ancestry and connection with our great county,” she said.

Ms McGonigle said in challenging economic times, the city could use the Cork passport to generate much-needed revenue, which could be ring-fencedfor charitable or otherprojects.

Meanwhile, the city also agreed last night to sign a memorandum of undertaking with Shenzhen Tourism Association in China in the hope to attracting more Chinese tourists to Leeside.