Any spare space in the planned redevelopment of the 14-acre Ceannt Station site in Galway should be used to fill gaps in the city's cultural and recreational infrastructure, according to local Labour Party TD Michael D Higgins.
As CIÉ prepares a master plan for a €750 million redevelopment of the prime site off Eyre Square, Deputy Higgins said facilities for public use should be provided for.
The Labour Party president suggested that such facilities could include an adaptable space for use as a skating rink in winter and convertible to a public performance space during the summer, as well as the provision of a home for the long sought-after Galway School of Music.
Mr Higgins said the space could also be used to house the construction of a public art gallery for the city which would exhibit the existing CIÉ collection of paintings.
"While first priority must be given to meeting public transport needs, as the statutes which govern CIÉ require, any spare space should be put to public use, towards filling the gap in the cultural and recreational infrastructure that is so obvious in the city," he said.
He pointed out that the Labour Party campaign for the development of the Ceannt Station site as a multi-model integrated transport centre would continue.
"This will give Galway and its region what it badly needs - a proper centre where rail, bus, light rail, public vehicles, private cars, cyclists and pedestrians can have their needs met," he explained.
He added that this could be done in a way which would be "architecturally striking" and constitute a "marvellous point of entry" to the city and its region as well as providing a space of which Galway residents could be proud.
CIÉ have employed a high-powered team of architects, commercial estate agents and project managers to draw up a master plan for the prime 14-acre site to incorporate new bus and rail facilities, as well as a major retail, office and possibly residential development.
This design team is headed by Seán O'Laoire of the award winning Murray O'Laoire Architects and includes representation from DTZ Pieda, DTZ Sherry Fitz-gerald and Bruce Shaw Partnership.
The new rail and bus facilities will include extra platforms, waiting facilities, bar, restaurants and shops. The bus station will double in size to 25 bays, and there will be two additional rail platforms.