Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú) | Oireachtas source

Newport is a beautiful town on the west coast of Mayo, nestled in the stunning Clew Bay. However, Newport has no wastewater treatment plant and as a result, raw sewage is being pumped into Clew Bay on a daily basis. It is affecting the ecosystem and fish stocks. It is creating foul odour and preventing housing development, economic development and, of course, recreational activities for the town. The lack of a wastewater treatment plant has robbed the town of its potential over decades - the potential for housing development, economic development and tourism. It is a beautiful town, an absolutely stunning town, yet so much has been stolen from it. I recently spoke to a member of a kayaking club who can no longer engage in water sports in the area, such is the damage that is being done for the lack of a treatment facility.

The people of Newport and the committee have been promised a wastewater treatment plant for decades. The most recent promise was that the wastewater treatment plant was due to be delivered in 2021 but that failed to materialise. According to Uisce Éireann, the current state of progress is stage 2, a preliminary business case. I understand Uisce Éireann has yet to be granted a licence to survey the coastline in the region for a suitable location for this site. It is incredible that after so many decades and so many promises Uisce Éireann still has no licence to engage in surveys of the area.

If this is entirely left up to Uisce Éireann, will it just be a commercial decision? For example, will Uisce Éireann go to the bigger towns where it can recoup its investment through water connection charges and business water charges? If that is the case, the Minister of State needs to intervene to ensure Newport gets the treatment plant it deserves.

I have raised this with Taoiseach who acknowledged that there should be progress updates and that people should know what is happening. I met the committee recently and its members have no idea. There is no transparency on this now. We understand that this project may take time, but equally we must give people transparency as to what is happening. We cannot get to 2030 and find that it has been pushed back by another decade, which is effectively what has happened heretofore. I ask the Minister of State to engage with Uisce Éireann. He needs to ensure that the people and the committee receive regular updates on the wastewater treatment plant in Newport. It is crucial that this happens.

Out of respect for the people of Newport, it is only right and proper that we should engage with them in a way they deserve.

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