Artists and their representatives are to challenge CIÉ in Galway next week about the controversial €1 billion plan for redevelopment of Ceannt Station.
The plan to construct what CIÉ describes as a "world-class transport hub and a new urban quarter" in Galway's city centre has already been criticised by Labour Party president and former minister of state for arts Michael D Higgins as well as environmental groups.
CIÉ has promised that a 490 sq m gallery will be developed within the 5.97 hectare site, along with a square which will be available for cultural events.
However, organisers and participants in the city's annual arts and literary festivals and film fleadh fear that the transport authority may not be giving sufficient space to a promised public element of the project.
The lack of adequate cultural infrastructure in the city was highlighted last month by Mayor Tom Costello (Lab) at the 30th annual Galway Arts Festival opening - and is believed to be a factor in Galway's unsuccessful attempt some years ago to secure a European city of culture designation.
An informal meeting of artists in the city earlier this week heard concerns that the Ceannt Station redevelopment as planned would do little to provide additional space.
The new transport hub involves an €85 million investment, according to CIÉ, with a redesigned train station in keeping with European "cathedral" models such as Berlin. Three full-length platforms will be developed for rail, along with 25 dedicated bus bays.
CIÉ is still awaiting a response from Bord Pleanála as to whether it will be eligible for expedited planning under the Strategic Infrastructure Act, but says it would prefer to go the local authority route.
Both the Labour Party and environmental groups An Taisce and Cairde na Gaillimhe have highlighted the omission of provision for a light rail system and provision of a second railway line.
CIÉ says that some €45 million will be invested in "social infrastructure". It says that 36 per cent of the site is for the new transport hub, 32 per cent for public space and 32 per cent is for private development. It says that the planned gallery and public space is "additional" to some 36 per cent of the area assigned for a new transport hub.
The artists have been promised a briefing by the project's architect Sean O'Laoire and CIÉ representatives in the Town Hall Theatre studio next Tuesday, at 4.30pm.
