“Galway Harbour and Ceannt Station are the most significant developments in the city for many years” – Minister Éamon Ó Cuív TD
Written by Eamon Ó Cuív Tuesday, 15 December 2009
Minister Éamon Ó Cuív TD has said that the development of Galway Harbour and Ceannt Station in Galway are the most significant developments in the city for many, many years.
“I believe that it is imperative now that we progress the development of the Galway inner harbour area and of Ceannt Station as speedily as possible while ensuring that what we get there is a coherent plan with good quality development,” said Minister Ó Cuív.
“Not only will the completion of the M6 motorway between Galway and Dublin this week greatly improve access to Galway, it will also increase the competitiveness of our region in the global economy. Revamping of the train services, the soon-to-be re-opened Galway to Limerick rail line and the future rail services to Tuam and beyond will boost our public transport. The development of Ceannt Station and the inner harbour area can capitalise on this upgrade of access to Galway and it is the next most significant gateway to new jobs for our region.
“Galway City was founded when the oceans were the motorways between here and continental Europe. Local history tells of Christopher Columbus visiting Galway some years before his voyage of discovery to the new world. Several centuries later, the Galway stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race on its way from North America has shown the new world of opportunity that awaits us if we re-focus the City on the sea.
“Last summer, with the Volvo Ocean Race in Galway, the huge possibilities of the inner harbour for marine leisure and also as a natural amphitheatre were clear. Any development of the harbour area must retain these very important features. It should have a clear vision of the future of the city where the inner harbour area would become an intrinsic part of the city centre. It should be a core area of the city where cultural and amenity developments such as cafés, green areas, and cultural facilities would balance commercial, residential and retail developments.
“It is very important that all the people of Galway pull together on the development of the inner harbour. As Government Minister in Galway City, I will certainly be working with all of the various interests, including political colleagues, to try to ensure that this particular project is brought to fruition quickly and to an agreed plan.”
