02/03/10

LOCAL LABOUR representatives Seán Sherlock TD and Mayor of Fermoy Cllr Noel McCarthy continue to put pressure on the Government to fund the proposed renovations of the weir in the town.

"It is inconceivable to expect the Town Council to meet the cost of repairing the weir," Deputy Sherlock said this week."I have asked Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Eamon Ryan to clarify his Department's role in this situation. It is my hope that the Department would fund the entire works."Following last week's deputation with Minister of State Conor Lenihan, I am not convinced that the Minister is fully committed to repairing the existing weir. "My fear is that the long term aim is to install a rock ramp pass as a fall back solution should the parties involved fail to reach a consensus on funding the repair work on the existing weir."Such a result would obviously be detrimental in the extreme for a number of interested parties, such as the local Rowing Club, and to the town of Fermoy itself given the heritage of the weir.Cllr McCarthy added that he too would look to ensure that Fermoy Town Council is not saddled with a bill it cannot afford."I will have a motion at the next meeting of Cork County Council seeking the full council's support in seeking funding for the repairs."There is a strong feeling in the town that the weir must be protected. Last year's protests brought the town to a standstill as the people of Fermoy recognise that the weir is a local landmark," Cllr McCarthy concluded.

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