Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A great deal of misinformation is being put out by some groups about the cost of the tidal barrier in Cork. While Mr. Syndenham said the figure the Save Cork City Campaign has come up with may be realistic if the barrier could be constructed wherever we wanted, there are many difficulties relating to navigation, conservation areas and so on, which would push up the cost. Will the Minister of State confirm that a tidal barrier could be built for the figure being quoted but not in the most effective location because of the additional costs, and that is why there is such a huge disparity in the figures being quoted by the OPW and the Save Cork City campaign?

The plans for the Morrison's Island works have now gone on public show at City Hall. If one goes down to Cork City Hall there is a full-scale replica of the proposed works. One can see the width of the footpaths and the heights of the walls. When people look at it, they see it is not what this campaign group has told them will be in place. I personally welcome the fact that the Morrison's Island works have gone out to Part 8 public consultation. I hope we can move ahead with it very quickly and continue the works. In my opinion the issue of the tidal barrier is a red herring. We need to move forward with the OPW project as quickly as possible. The Minister of State might comment on the differences in process.