The services of a Limestone Research and Consultancy group will be employed by Fermanagh District Council to provide assistance to the Marble Arch Caves.

This will cost £8,000, plus VAT, per annum for the next two years.

Councillors were recently informed that the University of Huddersfield Limestone Research Group had previously been appointed by the Council to provide consultancy services to the Marble Arch Caves European Geopark.

However, the University of Huddersfield closes its Geographical and Environmental Services Department in July 2007, and will therefore be unable to provide the necessary consultancy services after March this year.

Robert Gibson, the Director of Leisure, Tourism and Arts with the Council, reported that Professor Gunn has established his own company, Limestone Research and Consultancy Ltd, through which he could offer the some services previously provided by the University of Huddersfield.

Councillors agreed to the service now being commissioned from this company.