Wicklow Sinn Féin TD John Brady has expressed deep concern at the continued lack of progress on the long-promised Greystones Media Campus. Speaking after a meeting with senior IDA officials, Deputy Brady outlined that works on the site had briefly commenced but stalled, that €24 million of taxpayers’ money has already been invested, and that the developers are in breach of an April 2025 deadline under the terms of their lease which they have failed to meet. He stressed that government silence on the matter is unacceptable, and that urgent action is now required.
Deputy Brady said:
“In April 2022, U.S. property group Hackman Capital Partners, its studio operator affiliate The MBS Group, and investment firm Square Mile Capital announced plans to open the Greystones Media Campus in 2024. The facility, set to be the largest in Ireland, was to be developed as a joint venture with the Ireland Strategic Investment Fund (ISIF) and Capwell, an investment vehicle owned by the Sisk family.
“The €300 million project was expected to create 450 construction jobs and up to 1,500 permanent roles on its 44-acre site. However, progress has stalled, and the site remains inactive. This is deeply concerning, especially considering the €24 million already invested by Irish taxpayers through ISIF.”
Deputy Brady continued:
“The site was sold by the IDA to Greystones Media for the delivery of this flagship project. A ten-year planning permission is in place, and under the terms of the 999-year lease, substantial construction was required to commence by April 21st 2025. That obligation has not been met.
“The IDA has confirmed to me that there are ongoing discussions with Hackman Capital/Greystones Media, including around possible reconfiguration of the site and the question of extending the substantial commencement deadline. Hackman Capital has cited issues such as the US writers’ strikes, spikes in construction costs, and global industry uncertainty as reasons for delay.
“The IDA have also informed me that while they remain hopeful of a positive outcome, they anticipate that discussions with Hackman Capital will continue for the remainder of the year. That means it looks very unlikely that we will see the recommencement of works in Greystones this year. This is deeply disappointing. We need to ensure that the Government, the IDA, and all stakeholders prioritise this project so that work recommences as soon as possible.”
Deputy Brady concluded:
“Excuses will not deliver for Wicklow. This project was sold as a major opportunity for the local economy and the Irish film and television sector. Instead, the people of Wicklow have been left with an empty site, broken timelines, and little transparency.
“I will continue to press the IDA to see this project through. But it is not enough for the Government to sit on the sidelines – they can no longer remain silent. They must step up, show leadership, and actually do something to ensure this badly needed project for Wicklow finally proceeds.”