Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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122. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if details sought regarding a project (details supplied) carried out some time ago have been received. [14463/19]

Kevin Moran (Longford-Westmeath, Independent)
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I can confirm that the works which the Office of Public Works (OPW) carried out in constructing the Fermoy flood relief scheme did not interfere with the weir in Fermoy in any way and did not undermine the structure of the weir, or result in any damage to property. The OPW does not have any responsibility for the weir.

The Fermoy North and South flood relief schemes involved very little interference with the Blackwater River as the embankments and walls are largely set back from the river. There were no works required or undertaken on Fermoy weir as part of either the North or South flood relief schemes for the town.

The deterioration of the weir in recent years has had nothing to do with the flood relief schemes. The in-river works as part of the flood relief scheme maintained a clearance between the works area and the weir, thus avoiding scheme works impacting on the weir. I understand that it was previously confirmed that damage to the weir in 2016 at O’Neill Crowley Quay arose from trees being washed downstream.

I understand that the weir was built to service the mill building in the town and therefore it would have been owned and kept by the original mill owner. I understand that it was previously owned by the Town Council of Fermoy, and since the dissolution of the Town Council, it is owned by Cork County Council. The responsibility for the maintenance of the weir in Fermoy therefore lies with that Local Authority.