Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Leas-Cheann Comhairle did not have to put that on the record but I thank him for that. I raise this issue in the context of the EU Habitats Directive and ensuring the safe migration of our fish species. I have dealt with various Ministers in the last three years regarding the weir on the River Blackwater in Fermoy. The Government must beware of the issue at this stage because so many Ministers have visited the town in the last couple of months to promote election candidates. They have all looked at the weir in Fermoy and promised money. I have also raised this issue with various Departments.

The millrace on the weir has completely collapsed and there is no water flowing down the fish pass. We must, therefore, be in breach of EU Habitats Directive. I received an email this morning from the Department of the Minister of State, Deputy Canney. He referred me back to the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, Deputy Eoghan Murphy, and said that Minister will take on board the responsibility of reinstating the weir in Fermoy. We are coming into the tourism season and the River Blackwater is a major sporting location. To give an example, Fermoy Rowing Club is seriously hampered at the moment because the water level is so low that it is not possible to get boats into the river. That is due to the breach in the millrace. I ask the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government to address this issue urgently. I know he has major issues to deal with regarding housing but for the sake of the people of Fermoy I ask him to address this issue as well.

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