Fermoy weir repair works finally set to start this year
HOWEVER, THE COUNCIL DOES NOT HAVE THE €2 MILLION NEEDED FOR FISH BYPASS CHANNEL
CORK County Council has confirmed repair works on the Fermoy weir will finally get underway this year.
However, the authority has admitted it does not currently have the €2 million needed to construct the proposed fishpass adjacent to the weir.
The issue was raised at the council’s February northern area committee meeting by Cllr Noel McCarthy (FG), who sought an update on the issue, requesting officials provide a time-frame for works on the weir and what the project would entail.
In their reply, the council said the repair and upgrade works were comprised of two separate elements. The first being the proposed new fish bypass channel and the other being repairs to the weir itself.
“Negotiations to acquire land to facilitate the fish bypass channel are ongoing. In parallel to this, discussions are ongoing with the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to provide funding for its construction,” read the reply.
It went on to say that the Fermoy Municipal District Office was in discussions with the planning department to resolve concerns regarding the nature of repair works needed to “protest its integrity.”
However, Cllr McCarthy said he was “not happy” with the answer, given that no progress had been made on the issue over the past six-months.
“We were told back then that the fish pass would be repaired and that the Department wanted both elements of the project done at the same time, which probably makes sense,” he said.
“We were told no works could be done until the end of the summer. It’s February now and we are still in negotiations with the Department, the landowners and our own planning department. I fear even more delays in this whole process, which would be unacceptable,” he added.
Cllr McCarthy also asked if monies set aside for the repair of the weir by the former Fermoy Town Council were still in place.
Senior council official Mary Hayes said confirmed that the money for works on the weir, which will entail the capping it to protect its structural integrity and the installation of a boulder to prevent future damage from debris being washed downriver, was in place.
“Once we have the planning issues resolved, work should progress on the weir this year,” said Ms Hayes.
However, she said the cost of the fish bypass channel would be “significant” and the authority did not have the €2million needed for the work in its coffers.
Cllr McCarthy said that while it was disappointing the two elements of the project could not be done simultaneously, news that work on the weir would start this year was most welcome.
He suggested the committee write to the Department requesting they speed up the process of allocating the €2million in funding needed for the fish pass.
Divisional manager James Fogarty agreed, but said the wise course of action would to be to proceed with repair works on the weir this year.
“If we decide to wait for the €2million needed to do both elements together, we will be waiting a long time,” he warned.