Irish Water and the Environmental Protection Agency have been criticised for their “failure” to protect Kilkee.

A report has been sought from the EPA which is to include the steps taken to date “in holding Irish Water to account on the lack of progress in developing a wastewater treatment plant for Kilkee”.

This report is also to refer to the protection of the Kilkee Reefs SAC, water quality at Kilkee Beach and the public using the beach. It comes off the back of a proposal before Clare County Council by Cllr Cillian Murphy (FF).

At a recent meeting of the County Council, Cllr Pat Burke (FG) questioned if the matter was worthy of being deemed countywide, “it is setting a precedent if this motion is allowed”. The Chair of the meeting, Cllr Mary Howard (FG) allowed the matter to proceed when Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) seconded the motion, “information, monitoring and being held to account is everything”.

“I understand Kilkee is mentioned specifically but the whole thrust of the motion is in effect the failure of one State entity to police another,” Cllr Murphy outlined. He explained, “The EPA is there to “protect the people” and is the environmental regulator, basically it is there to make sure Irish Water does its job”. He was not satisfied with how it was faring in this regard.

Ways in which the issue affected the entire county were highlighted by Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG), “Our coastline is marketed by Fáilte Ireland but is completely ignored by the EPA and Irish Water”. Further support was voiced by Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) who stressed the need for Irish Water to be held to account and Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) who disputed the comments of Cllr Burke.

Chair of Standing Orders, Cllr Gerry Flynn (IND) clarified, “if councillors aren’t satisfied with the progress of a motion at Municipal District level, they can bring it forward. Cllr Burke is right, it is a local motion. I imagine it could have been dealt with at local level”. The Shannon representative informed the meeting that he supported the motion all the same. Burke replied, “It was a local motion that slipped through the net, I am reading the motion in front of me and it specifically relates to Kilkee”.

Regardless of the location, the issues are the same, Cllr Pat Hayes (FF) maintained, “I am more interested with what reply comes back, for too long all these agencies are passing the buck”.

Murphy concluded, “The substantive issue stands, Irish Water and the EPA are not doing their job. We have an obligation as a local authority to protect Kilkee Reefs”.

Related News

ennis o'connell street works 05-11-24 18
77% of Ennis Town Centre businesses impacted negatively by public realm works
donald trump usa flag 1
West Clare hotelier to return to The White House as Trump triumphs in Presidential election
MIC Grads Fri AM DM 252
MIC honour Diarmuid Ryan with outstanding achievement award
kilrush active 1
'Another kick in the teeth for West Clare' - Kilrush indoor sports complex & Kilkee diving centre miss out on funding
Latest News
tubber v ogonnelloe 24-08-24 henry vaughan fergal o'grady rory gantley 2
Gantley joins Lohan's Clare hurling management
ennis o'connell street works 05-11-24 18
77% of Ennis Town Centre businesses impacted negatively by public realm works
donald trump usa flag 1
West Clare hotelier to return to The White House as Trump triumphs in Presidential election
clare-v-wexford-oscar-traynor-22-02-20-28
Prepare properly and anything is possible for Clare in Oscar Traynor - Garrihy
sbcr tom jim darragh tim 1
Big wins for SBCR and RCB at Craol awards
Premium
ennis courthouse tent 24-02-21 4
Shannon man pleads guilty to 'very serious assault' that left female victim with a broken eye socket, broken ribs and a collapsed lung
facebook tab 1
Kilmihil man found guilty of harassing Garda on Facebook
deirdre murphy clareabbey 1
Iconic GAA figure Brendan Vaughan remembered with renaming of meeting room in his honour
medical file doctor 1
Hospital tells Garda it is 100% likely medical report of Shannon man will be ready to allow trial proceed
facebook ipad 1
Jury to continue deliberations in case of Kilmihil man accussed of harassing Clare Garda

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top