Pat Casey (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to focus on the public consultation process. I will refer to the current Vartry project. It is to be hoped lessons have been learned from that project in regard to public consultation. In that case, we did not bring the public with us. The public were not informed of the project and the impact it would have on the Vartry River. The initial application did not contain an environmental impact statement which raised concerns. A rearguard action was being fought from then on in terms of additional information and trying to acknowledge the views of the public. The decision has now been appealed to the board. It is regrettable that an agent of the State has appealed the decision to the board. Irish Water did not bring along some of the State bodies in the consultation process.

Before we embark on an even bigger project than Vartry, has the delegation made ample provision for public consultation with landowners and those who will be affected by the project? Deputy Ó Broin mentioned the environmental impact statement.

Is Irish Water interacting with State bodies? It is very disappointing to see a State body appealing the decision of Wicklow County Council regarding the Vartry reservoir. Proper consultation was not carried out with Inland Fisheries on the project. Its views were not taken into consideration and solutions were not proposed to deal with them, and it appealed the decision.