The Cathaoirleach of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, Cllr Sean Carey, has said priority needs to be given to the repair of the sea wall in Belmullet - as locals are concerned about its state of repair and that it is an eye-sore for tourists passing through the area.
Speaking at the July meeting of the Westport-Belmullet Municipal District in Belmullet this week, Cllr Carey said: "There is a lot of issues that needs to be addressed and we have the sea wall here in Belmullet.
"We have some funding allocated but I don't think it is enough to complete the project - I have mentioned on numerous occasions the state of the wall, the caping is off a lot of it, we are on about tourism and the majority of people pass by it when they visit here.
"The locals are concerned that the high tides will come and wash away the wall. One lady I spoke too was very concerned about it, it needs to be prioritiesd for safety and for tourists and the tidy town aspects. It has to be a priority to get that sorted."
Fine Gael Cllr Gerry Coyle told the meeting that he had expected that the councillors would be presented with a part eight planning permission for it at the July meeting, as funding for some of the repairs had already been allocated.
He was informed that the council hoped to have part eight planning in front of the councillors soon, following the completion of a number of reports.
Cllr Coyle questioned the need for so many reports as the wall had been constructed over 100 years ago and stood for that time and there was no need for consultants or reports then and added, that if a few locals were allowed at it again they would have it fixed in no time, without the need for reports and consultants having money spent on it, which should be spent on the wall.
He was informed by council officials that the council had to go through all the reports and planning stages if they are to draw down the money for it and that is following the rule of law.
Cllr Coyle responded saying: "You think the famers and fellas who got together and built the wall had consultants? They put it together and it stood for 100 years and if we put a bit more concrete in it would stand again."
