Taoiseach makes port pledge on Project Ireland 2040 roadshow in Limerick

IRELAND’s future is “very much under way” in Limerick, due to the ongoing Project Opera and Gardens International developments.

That’s the view of Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe, who joined An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to provide an update on the first year of the Ireland 2040 development scheme at the University of Limerick.

At the event, Taoiseach Varadkar also pledged further investment at Foynes Port.

He said: “International connectivity is increasingly important, particularly in light of Brexit. So we are investing in areas that are particularly important such as our major state ports – Dublin, Cork and Foynes. But also our airports, and I’m glad to see the annual accounts for Shannon Airport show increased passenger numbers and revenue last year. We anticipate further growth in 2019.”

The pair were joined at the Glucksman Library in the college by local TD, Minister of State Patrick O’Donovan and Damien English to assess the progress of the development, which is aimed at providing a roadmap for development in Ireland over the next 20 years.

In the city, Mr Varadkar and Mr O’Donohoe took time out to namecheck Project Opera, the wider Limerick Twenty Thirty project, Limerick Institute of Technology’s Coonagh expansion and the M20 Limerick to Cork motorway, which the Taoiseach signed contracts for.

“When it comes to culture and heritage, the Opera project at the heart of Limerick City is a landmark piece that will help to lift the cultural offering in this city,” Mr Varadkar said.

His Cabinet colleague added: “I see the work under way in the Hanging Gardens site, I see the work under way in the Opera site. Then, in particular, I see all of the vision encapsulated in Limerick 2030. I want to recognise the chief executive of that group David Conway.”

He insisted there is “no going back” on the Project Ireland 2040 aims.