PRESS RELEASE

07/11/2005

Lynch hits bum note with attack on Cork School of Music - Kelleher

“It has been a waste of time, energy and now, it appears, money.” - Kathleen Lynch, Metro, Thursday, November 3, 2005

Cork North-Central Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher has lashed out at Labour TD Kathleen Lynch after she said the new school of music in Cork was ‘a waste of time, energy and now, it appears, money’.

Deputy Kelleher, assistant Government chief whip, said the Labour TD’s outrageous attack on the school of music in Dublin’s Metro newspaper last week undermines the huge time and effort invested in the school of music which is expected to be completed by September, 2007.

‘Deputy Lynch’s gripe is no frivolous political attack. Her sideswipe at one of the most important cultural projects ever untaken in Cork city is extraordinary. By any measurement, the Cork School Music has a proud tradition and an even brighter future. Its redevelopment to cater for increased student demand is no waste of time, energy or money,’ said Deputy Kelleher.

He said Deputy Lynch’s claim that there was a €190 million overspend on the school distorts the facts.

‘The original €12 million estimate related to a fundamentally different scale of project to what is now under way. That was an earlier estimate for just extending the existing School of Music building. But when that option was examined considerable drawbacks were discovered.

‘There was a significant amount of asbestos throughout the building. The roof was leaking and in very poor condition. The existing concrete frame was deteriorating to the extent that it was thought it might not be able to withstand the requirements of a completely new roof. And the structure of the building was not flexible and would significantly affect refurbishment proposals.

‘For these reasons, it was felt that it would be better to build a new school on the existing site rather than to refurbish the original building.

‘The €60 million cost relates to the cost of building an entirely new school which will be able to accommodate about 400 full-time and 2,000 part-time students. Facilities will include specialised tuition rooms, lecture rooms, rehearsal hall, recording studio, a drama suite and library.

‘The new school will accommodate all on one site the activities of the Cork School of Music that were provided in the original building and 17 other locations throughout Cork.

‘Opposition politicians, such as Kathleen Lynch, could do with getting behind this important project for Cork city rather than undermining our efforts with negative commentary,’ said Deputy Kelleher.

ENDS