Treat River Shannon like its future matters, says Green Party councillor

GREEN Party councillor Seán Hartigan maintains that if Limerick politicians were against the Shannon to Dublin Water Supply...

GREEN Party councillor Seán Hartigan maintains that if Limerick politicians were against the Shannon to Dublin Water Supply Project, they would not stay silent as the Government builds the machinery to prioritise and accelerate it.

Speaking to the Limerick Post , Cllr Hartigan again took aim at local TDs and senators, saying it was time they “stop speaking out of both sides of their mouth” and make their position clear.

The City East representative declared it is time they start treating the future of the Shannon like it matters.

Last week, Fianna Fail TD Willie O’Dea was the only local Dáil Deputy to reply to this publication when asked to comment on Cllr Hartigan’s call for Limerick politicians to open their eyes on the Shannon abstraction project.

Deputy O’Dea said he is against the proposal to extract over 300 million litres of water a day from the River Shannon to bolster supply to the east of the country.

“I have been in touch with individuals and groups who are very concerned about this project, which proposes to pump water from the River Shannon to supply Dublin and surrounding areas, and I have assured them of my support.

“I have also made representations to the Government on the matter. I don’t need any advice from the Greens on how to represent my constituents,” he told this reporter.

However, Cllr Hartigan took issue with O’Dea’s comments, saying:

“Here’s the problem. In May, the Government passed the Critical Infrastructure Bill, legislation designed to speed up major projects that it considers strategically important. The Government has now designated the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project as critical infrastructure.

“That means the State is giving this project priority and directing public bodies to help accelerate its approval and delivery. When the Critical Infrastructure Bill came before the Oireachtas, not a single Limerick TD or senator voted against it. Willie O’Dea, Kieran O’Donnell, Maurice Quinlivan, Niall Collins, Maria Byrne, and Joanne Collins all voted for the legislation.

“Conor Sheehan, Patrick O’Donovan, Richard O’ Donoghue, and Dee Ryan were absent for the vote. If they genuinely oppose the Shannon abstraction project, then where were they when the legal framework was being put in place to fast-track it?” the Green Party representative asked.

Hartigan hit out that local politicians cannot tel the people of Limerick that they’re against this project while staying silent as the Government builds the machinery to prioritise and accelerate it.

“Of course, Dublin needs a secure water supply. Nobody disputes that. But people here in Limerick are entitled to ask some serious questions,” Cllr Hartigan said.

“We have been living under water restrictions since July. We’re being told to conserve water because supplies are under pressure. So how can the Government claim there is enough water available to export vast quantities from the Shannon while local communities are facing restrictions?

“Many people, myself included, are deeply concerned about the potential impact this project could have on the ecology of the Shannon. This river is already under pressure from pollution, habitat loss and climate change.”

The Green Party councillor said that “the Shannon is not just a resource to be tapped. It is a living ecosystem that supports wildlife, tourism, recreation, and communities right across the region. Limerick deserves representatives who will stand up for Limerick first.”

“The people of this region deserve clear answers, honest debate, and a commitment that the long-term health of the Shannon will not be sacrificed. It’s time for our TDs and senators to stop speaking out of both sides of their mouth and make their position clear. The future of the Shannon matters. Let’s start treating it that way.”