Cork reaps benefits from substantial government funding, totaling €4.5 billion, raising questions about fair project distribution.
The government promised big projects for Cork. Bus Connect and a new hospital are examples. They also planned the M20 motorway to Limerick. Some projects are ongoing but the Dunkettle upgrade helps drivers.
Dr. Griffin spoke to Oireachtas committees about money. He called the spending very quick. He thinks three politicians helped Cork get €4.5 billion. Those politicians are Micheál Martin, Simon Coveney, and Michael McGrath.
Martin is Taoiseach again. The government gave Cork another €713 million. This is for local roads. Cork got over €94 million; that’s more than double what any other county received.
Dr. Griffin listed projects approved for Cork totaling €4.5 billion. Another €1 billion is for the Luas and Events Centre. The list included transport and infrastructure investments. These ranged from motorways to airport upgrades.
Dr. Griffin said Cork deserves spending like its population, but added no other place got similar funding. This raises questions about fairness. He also questioned the cabinet’s influence.
He believes the politicians were worth €4.5 billion to Cork. Cabinet seats strongly shape spending. Micheál Martin cares about Cork and showed this in his premiership’s first weeks.
Dr. Griffin wants fairer project distribution and more transparent capital projects. He wants a Capital Supply Service and Purpose Report Bill. The previous Dáil did not pass it.