Limerick TD Brian Leddin urged Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to consult with John Moran, the new directly elected Mayor of Limerick, prior to bringing the Shannon pipeline project to cabinet.
“This is the first opportunity for Government and the new executive Mayor to engage on an issue of major relevance to the future of Limerick and the Midwest. It would undermine the new office if any decision is taken without first having this engagement. There are significant concerns in the region about the project, from its impact on future growth and available water supply for the Midwest, as well as its environmental impact. Close consultation with the Mayor is critical.”
Deputy Leddin, who engaged with Irish Water officials at the Joint Oireachtas Committee last Tuesday on the issue, added his concerns about the long term impacts on the development of the country.
“There can be no doubt that the pipeline project will enable further and faster growth of the capital and the eastern region. How does that sit with State policy, in the form of the National Planning Framework, to target growth of the regional cities at twice the rate of Dublin? We know that policy is already failing and is currently under review. We have to ensure that the Midwest is enabled to grow to its potential and that decisions that are taken around infrastructure now do not impact that.”
Eastern and Midlands regional in depth Water Supply Project Map (More about the project here.)
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