Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The presentation was comprehensive. I represent the constituency where the abstraction is due to take place. There is considerable unease among the public regarding the pipeline. I will not repeat the points raised by colleagues but consultation to bring the public onside and to outline what the end product will be and what impact it will have on communities is essential. Smaller projects in other parts of the country have caused significant disturbance. People along this route have the experience of the recently built motorway.

Many farmers suffered greatly because of the motorway and now, when they see another major infrastructural project happening, they are asking why they are being affected again. The motorway impacted on the profession of dairy farmers along the route for three to five years and it caused serious disruption, and now they are facing the same scenario again. These individual landowners are hugely resentful. Another major issue is where landowners are unfortunate enough to suffer sterilisation of sites which would have been suitable for family members to build on. Some landowners have limited road frontage and they may lose it because of the route of the pipeline. They would like to see family members building houses near the family home. Points are made about the impact the project may have on underground water sources. Will the project impact on activities?

Many local issues arise and, as has been said by previous speakers, they all need to be addressed and serious consultation is required. At present, there is significant resistance to the project at local level. Education and consultation could sort out many of the issues. Why were other options overruled? Why was this option picked? There must be education to show this is the best and cheapest option which will benefit the infrastructure. Reference has been made to the Kennedy report. Objectors point to the committee report, which states that better and cheaper options are available. We are a long way from having the public on side in my constituency and getting the public on side is paramount to the success of the project.