Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important petition and I hope we will keep it open. This is a serious issue which has bedevilled the community. Has Cork County Council been in contact with the relevant Minister of State, Deputy English, about the proposal? How is it progressing? Is there a cost at design stage? We need to see that happen. I have spoken to the Minister and I know that the Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Deputy Moran, has been there, as has the Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Kyne. Pa O'Driscoll has informed me that both Ministers of State have been in contact with many members. A tender process must be engaged in for the awarding of the design stage and I hope we take it seriously, especially since it seems from the presentation that the regatta will not take place, which is a damning indictment of the situation. The fish supply and the fish pass are also serious matters. Are our guests in favour of temporary works being done? I would be distressed and disappointed if IFI wanted to close every weir in the country, which is what the quotes attributed to that organisation suggest. We do not agree that the weir should be swept away. I hope that the funding can be provided through Cork County Council and we are here today because we are tired of obfuscation. We want answers and we will support the witnesses who are here this afternoon.