Simon Coveney says the Government is to make a decision on funding for the Cork Events Centre before the end of the month.
Yesterday the Cork South Central TD announced his decision to quit politics after 26 years in public life.
The city has been waiting for over eight years for the 6,000 seat venue.
Speaking on the Neil Prendeville Show Minister Simon Coveney says once the funding decision is made work will begin quickly:
"It will get its money back many times over on this project, but more importantly, Cork and the economy of Cork, its bars, its restaurants, its clubs, its shops, its streets, will be brought to life by this event centre, where we have big events every week through the year, managed by, you know, one of the largest event management companies in the world."
