Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has called on Taoiseach Micheál Martin to ringfence funding in Budget 2027 for the State to purchase the grounds of Cork’s former Bessborough mother and baby institution. Asked how much money the Government should budget for the purchase of the Bessborough grounds, the Sinn Féin leader said it was not for her “to arbitrarily put a figure on it, but there are figures available in respect of the transfer and previous purchase price of that land”. Planning had initially been granted in February by Cork City Council after councillors had in 2022 approved the rezoning of swathes of Bessborough for residential development. Exploring optionsIn a call two weeks ago to this newspaper, the Taoiseach said he had asked Cork City Council to engage with the owners of the Bessborough grounds, to “explore all options for the future of the site”. “Bessborough is an area of important historical significance, and it’s a place of huge importance and connection for many, many families and people,” the Taoiseach said.