Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach for allowing me to attend the committee today to discuss this issue. I am not a permanent member of the committee, but I obviously wanted to be here. I am glad to have heard Mr. Thomas Carney and Mr. Alan Ivers give their submissions. As they know, I am very familiar with the scheme and the challenges that have been posed over the last number of years. You do not need to be from Mayo or Kiltimagh to understand and recognise the gravity of the situation today. I am glad to be here because it presents an opportunity to progress a solution and finally get an outcome. I commend the committee and the community on their resilience in keeping this at the top of the agenda, in spite of all the obstacles and challenges they have faced along the way.

My first question is about why the crucial applications to Irish Water were delayed. Why do the witnesses think they were delayed? I know an impact study had to be done and planning permission has been granted in recent months, but were there any other factors that caused the delay to the submission of the application from Mayo County Council to Irish Water? That question is probably for Mr. Carney.