COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF DEVELOPMENT PLAN MEETING

Thursday, June 17, 2021

MOTION NO.

MOTION: Councillor Eoin Ó Broin

Given the obscene squandering nonsense of the Irish Water proposals to pump water from the River Shannon to Dublin for drinking water supply, remove 'The Eastern and Midlands Region Water Supply Project' from IE 2 Objective 2.

REPORT:

The proposed motion seeks the removal of 'The Eastern and Midlands Region Water Supply Project' from IE 2 Objective 2. Irish Water is responsible for public water services in Ireland. This extends to all public water services, involving the supply of drinking water and the collection, treatment and disposal of wastewater. It is Irish Water’s role to facilitate growth as it is identified and planned for within the hierarchy of spatial plans such as the National Planning Framework (NPF), the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy (RSES) and County Development Plans.

It should be noted that the need for Water Supply Project (WSP) is clearly identified in the NPF and subsequently in the RSES for the Eastern and Midlands Region. Moreover, it is stated in the RSES that “a  number of water and wastewater projects are ongoing to deliver capacity at a large scale to the metropolitan area and it is critical that the timelines for delivery of these projects are aligned with the phased delivery of strategic development areas in the MASP. These include Water Supply…Water Supply Project for the Eastern and Midlands Region to supply water to Dublin”. South Dublin County Council administrative area forms part of the MASP.

It should be noted that Planning authorities must continue to deliver a framework for proper planning and sustainable development at city and county level that is consistent with the national and regional spatial planning policy. Furthermore, support for projects such The Eastern and Midlands Region Water Supply Project are imperative to allow South Dublin County to grow and prosper.

It is considered that this is an issue for Irish Water and the policies and objectives set out in this plan have been framed in a manner to ensure consistency with the provisions of the NPF and RSES.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the motion is not adopted.