Councillor demands State covers cost of €50m drainage scheme

A LIMERICK city councillor has tabled a motion calling on the Minister for Finance and Minister for Environment to fully reimburse the City Council the estimated €50 million bill for the controversial main drainage scheme.

Despite assurances from city manager Tom Mackey earlier this week that the council will not be liable to foot the bill, Cllr Patrick Kennedy (non-party) yesterday said he wanted a assurances from Dick Roche and Brian Cowen that they will cover the cost.

His motion calls for both ministers to underwrite the full financial costs of the main drainage contracts and, in particular the monies paid in damages to Uniform Construction, the company which said the Council wrongly rescinded its €9.5m contract on the drainage scheme.