Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I just want to make a few observations. I am not pointing the finger at anyone. As Senator Buttimer said, this is about trying to find a solution and getting joined-up thinking. We can read through all the excellent submissions but I have marked just one that is very worrying. It states: "It is understood that in order to accommodate the Fermoy Rowing Club and other Community interests, the removal of the weir was not recommended." It further refers to the optimal solution to complying with the habitats directive and avoiding proceedings or potentially large fines but states that it was instead proposed to lower the weir and build a new fish pass.

In this little passage in the submission there was a bit of a plan. It suggested we all pull together, engage with the stakeholders and start again. At least an optimal solution was referred to and it was suggested that it was possible that this could all come together.

I have only one other question. Much of this has to do with certain habitat directives and the water framework directive. Much of this is European. Is there a European fund that all stakeholders and bodies represented here can tap into? In that way they could say, "We are putting our hands up. We need this to be done. We know that you want it to be done this way. Can we get funding for it?" Can anyone answer that?