Events centre delayed again: Project paralysis

Even though there is abundant evidence it may be just a tad disloyal to suggest that an affliction that might be described as a Persistent Public Project Ague, a debilitating, near-paralysis that has come to define our long-awaited national children’s hospital is infecting other important projects.

A regional events centre is not as urgently needed as a children’s hospital but that long-promised Cork City development is beginning to look as if it shares DNA with that accursed, delayed, and out-of-control project. Ensnared in a Gordian knot of red tape and funding issues — not least of which was a wishful-thinking initial budget — the project has not passed the blueprint stage though it has been active since 2014. New issues around finance and liabilities seem set to delay it further. Public funds of €30m have been committed.

It might be too cynical to suggest that the project will offer another sod-turning photo opportunity before the next election — but then, in the cold light of a January Monday, maybe it’s not. Unless of course, the debate about the appropriateness of the location is rejuvenated as it may well be.