Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I do not know about the Minister of State, but when I see a company like CDM Smith leading and co-ordinating this project as well as having an influential role in deciding who will do the various phases of the work, like any reasonable person, I am entitled to question the independence and integrity of the report.

I have no doubt it will cause irreparable damage to the reputation of the EPA.

I also understand that at least one of the universities named as being associated with this report was associated with only part of it and-or distanced itself from the overall work. There is no doubt that there will be serious questions about integrity and independence. The problem is that the next phase of the work involves people going onto land in north Leitrim, west Cavan and south-west Fermanagh. Undoubtedly, landowners will lock gates and not allow people onto their land because of the questions over independence. The sensible and the right thing to do would be to suspend the process, at least until after the EPA appears before an Oireachtas committee on 2 December.

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