Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party)

I want to raise a critical issue affecting the people of Castletownbere, Eyeries and Ardgroom. These communities are effectively frozen, unable to grow and develop because of a water infrastructure crisis that has gone unresolved for far too long. Planning applications are being refused or withdrawn due to the concerns over water abstraction from Glenbeg Lough, which lies within a special area of conservation. As a result, over 100 residential and commercial units are on hold. Even vital marine infrastructure and housing projects have been stalled. Castletownbere is Ireland's largest fishing port, yet its future is being held hostage by an outdated system and bureaucratic delays. A simple low-cost interim solution has been proposed, one that protects the environment while allowing development to proceed. This low-cost, low-tech, simple solution could be put in place quickly in order to give everyone breathing space to investigate the feasibility of developing a new source of water for Beara. Blocking development in Beara while more than 90% of rainfall is available through the environment is beyond draconian and grossly unfair to the people there. I urge the Taoiseach to act and to bring Uisce Éireann and all the concerned bodies together to work for a short-term solution for Beara.

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