It’s claimed the progression of a multi-billion euro plan to pump water from the River Shannon to Dublin would have disastarous consequences for East Clare.
Clare County Council has been requested to lodge a submission with An Coimisúin Pleanála on the matter amid strong local opposition.
The Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region is the largest water scheme in the history of the state.
The €6bn plan will entail a 170km pipeline from the Parteen Basin which straddles Clare and Tipperary running all the way to Dublin City and serving Wicklow, Kildare and Meath along the way.
Uisce Éireann hasn’t ruled out the possibility of the network serving Offaly, Westmeath and Tipperary into the future either.
Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O’Brien believes it’s not only the wrong approach, but an issue that will cause serious harm to East Clare.
Landowners along the affected route are expected to receive an average compensation package of €100,000, with Uisce Éireann hoping to begin construction by 2028.
An Coimisúin Pleanála is due to make a decision on the application in the coming weeks, but Clare County Council will be lodging it’s offical submission before the verdict, with elected representatives seeking an objection.
The project is expected to extract 2% of the Parteen Basin’s annual water flow.
Cathaoirleach of the Killaloe Municipal District Pat Burke believes it will be particularly harmful for tourism.
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