Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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564. To ask the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will expedite permanent work to be carried out on a specific project (details supplied) in County Cork. [39601/17]

Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Cork County Council is the authority responsible for carrying out works to the weir and for the funding of same. I understand that both a project to ensure a permanent solution to fish passage and a project to ensure temporary repairs, while the permanent solution is awaited, are required.

My Department and Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) have been liaising with the Council to advise how any proposed works can be consistent with fisheries and environmental obligations, particularly the EU Habitats Directive. The engineering advisors of the Council and the Department have also agreed the essential details of the permanent proposals and the Department has agreed to the Council's temporary repair proposals. 

The Council has advised my Department that it is involved in land acquisition in respect of its permanent project proposals and, once this is complete, have undertaken to set out a timetable for the commencement and completion of works.  

IFI have been in regular contact with Cork County Council over recent months seeking to progress matters and, on 6 September last, requested a further meeting with the Council, particularly as regards both the permanent and interim works and compliance with the EU Habitats Directive. A response is awaited from the Council      

The Council have also advised the estimated project costs to my Department. Funding is entirely a matter for the Council, and funds for this and similar projects are not provided for within my Department's Vote.