Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising this issue. As I have said, the Newport wastewater treatment plant is currently at preliminary business case stage 2. Uisce Éireann will develop a shortlist of solutions identifying preferred options and will calculate estimated costs. A significant amount of data gathering, surveys and assessments are required to support various consenting processes. A licence is required to carry out the surveys needed to develop the maritime model. Uisce Éireann applied to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority in December 2024 to obtain a licence, known as a maritime usage licence, to carry out the necessary survey works. There is ongoing engagement with Uisce Éireann and MARA to progress the application. MARA carries out its work as a statutory body and I would expect that Uisce Éireann is in contact with MARA to look to progress the licence application itself. Once the licence is granted Uisce Éireann can then carry out the work to complete the preliminary business case and can provide better clarity on the likely timescale to complete this project.

There are two further elements. The officials in my Department did follow up with Uisce Éireann today to see exactly where this was at. We have been told that it applied in December. We pressed the importance of progressing this project. Certainly the residents of Newport will be kept updated, as will the public representatives, as to any further updates we get from Uisce Éireann on this project. I suggest the Deputy keep in contact with the Minister, Deputy Browne, and the Department to see precisely where it is at, but we will keep up our engagement with Uisce Éireann on this matter for the people of Newport.

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