Brendan Hegarty, chief Excutive of Fermanagh District Council
FERMANAGH Council this week approved two ‘legacy’ proposals to mark the June summit of world leaders.
One is a ‘G8’ bridge across the River Erne on the Dublin Road, Enniskillen, which is part of the proposed Enniskillen By-Pass, and the other is a tourism project at the Broadmeadow, listed as the Castle Basin area’ in the Enniskillen masterplan.
The council’s chief executive, Brendan Hegarty said the two proposals will now be used as the basis for discussions with potential funders. At this week’s council meeting, Mr Hegarty said the council would do its utmost to see whether or not it could get funding for a legacy proposal.
In the meantime, the council is forging ahead with plans to celebrate, and benefit from the June Summit.
But, Mr Hegarty revealed this week there was no new money at this point in time towards hosting the event, and he said the council had not provided for additional resources in the estimates.
Sinn Féin Fermanagh South Tyrone Assembly member, Phil Flanagan has insisted that the British Government must step forward and provide funding to cover all costs associated with the Summit.
Mr Hegarty told the Herald: “The official line is there is no new money for G8 at this point in time, but that doesn’t mean that the NIO cannot re-divert money in-year. Failing that, we could redivert money ourselves to make specific provision for the G8.
“The council has a role in trying to prepare the area as best as we can, and having it looking as well as we can.”
This week, the DoE Minister, Alex Atwood announced that Fermanagh is to get £380,000 from the DoE for sprucing up some 140 properties buildings throughout the county.
He said Fermanagh would be very much in the international spotlight this year as hosts for the G8 summit.
He went on: “This is a tremendous opportunity to showcase its charms to the world. I want my Department to contribute to that.”
To read more.. Subscribe to current edition
Receive quality journalism wherever you are, on any device. Keep up to date from the comfort of your own home with a digital subscription.
Any time | Any place | Anywhere