Stark warning: Dublin faces citywide water shortages within five years
The chief executive of the utility, Niall Gleeson, has written to Housing Minister James Browne seeking 'an urgent meeting' over the matter.
Mr Gleeson fears a multibillion-euro proposal to pump water from the River Shannon into the Greater Dublin Area to meet growing demand could be delayed for several years by planning objections from environmentalists. Housing Minister James Browne. Pic: Sam Boal/Collins
He pointed to plans for a new wastewater plant that was expected to be operational this year, but now won't be delivered until 2032.
In correspondence released to Extra.ie under Freedom of Information legislation, the Uisce Éireann boss said that issues with the supply of water in Dublin have become so dire that a drought in the Liffey today would result in immediate water restrictions.
Extra.ie has previously revealed that thousands of new homes in Dublin are at risk because Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) needs tens of billions in investment. Niall Gleeson. Pic: Sasko Lazarov / © RollingNews.ie
But the delivery of new homes is not the only serious problem emerging from Ireland's creaking water infrastructure.
Mr Gleeson said the issues will affect 'not just the new housing targets but current and future foreign direct investment' in Dublin and across the country.
He wrote: 'Significant population and economic growth over and above forecasts in the GDA (Greater Dublin Area) in the last three years means that there will be a shortage of water for all customers within the next five years. Greater Dublin. Pic: Getty Images
'This shortage can only be adequately addressed by prioritising the delivery of the Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region (WSP).'
The WSP will see water from the Shannon piped 170 km through counties Tipperary, Offaly, and Kildare to a reservoir at Peamount in Dublin, connecting into the GDA water supply network.
The Department of Housing estimates that the project could cost over €10 billion. But Mr Gleeson has raised fears the WSP will run into significant planning delays. He referenced the Greater Dublin Drainage Project (GDD), which provides for a new wastewater treatment plant in Clonshaugh. The office of An Bord Pleanála in Dublin. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
It has been in planning for six years, with the original consent quashed 'on one ground only, over which Uisce Éireann had no control', and which related to a consultation between An Bord Pleanála and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This, he said, was 'a direct consequence of the overly complex multiple consenting regime in Ireland'
The planning application was lodged in 2018, and the project was expected to be 'complete and operational by 2025'.
However, he added: 'As a result of the ongoing planning delays, we now believe that, at best, the project may be delivered and operational by 2032.'
Mr Gleeson then warned that he fears the same problems will befall the WSP. He said: 'Given the issues experienced on the GDD project, we are concerned that the WSP will suffer similar delays and will be tied up for years in the consenting processes.'
However, a spokeswoman for the EPA said that An Bord Pleanála had not fulfilled its obligations to seek the agency's views on the DDP.
She told Extra.ie: 'The judgment in this case did not identify any shortcomings or omissions by the EPA. Uisce Éireann has submitted an application to the EPA, which is currently under review.
'A final decision will be made by the EPA on this licence once the necessary planning decision has been made.'
A spokesman for Irish Water said the supply in the GDA is on a 'knife edge'. He said this may result in 'water conservation orders (hosepipe bans) or supply restrictions', particularly during periods of drought/high demand.
He added: 'This is an unsustainable situation and is a symptom of the critical need to develop a new source of supply.'
On housing, Mr Gleeson said it is estimated that to meet housing targets of 50,000 units per year, Irish Water would need an additional € 1.7 billion in a 'nationally multi-annual ring-fenced fund for housing and growth'.
He added: 'Our projects are of national importance and without them there will be significant curtailment of the State's housing programme despite our best efforts'.
A spokesman for the Department of Housing said that 'while there are risks to water supply until the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project is completed in the early 2030s, Uisce Éireann will take all possible action to maintain supply and support new connections'.
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Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Letters to the Editor, August 6th: On monitoring public spending, housing solutions and landlords' rent roll
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Few media economists mention the negative effect of corporations and individuals using the housing market to get a better return on investment. Because of the crisis, these investment funds and a significant number of private individuals buy houses because the high rents and rising house prices are a far better option than bank deposits or shares. Until the crisis is over – and currently there is no sign that this is anywhere in sight – we should call on our politicians to pass legislation to the effect that no one could buy a house in which they were not going to live. The removal of the investors and speculators from the demand side of the market would leave more room for people who need to buy homes. The right to private property enshrined in the Constitution is, according to the same Article 43, 'regulated by the principles of social justice'. To paraphrase Mr McWilliams, it is worth greenlighting such a proposal in a crisis. – Yours, etc, LEE HEALY, Ballincollig, Co Cork. Sir, – David McWilliams's column, presents a provocative and timely solution to the housing crisis by promoting 'YIMBYism' – the construction of small homes in back gardens. While I fully understand and share the urgency of the need to increase housing supply, I must caution against uncritically embracing this idea without examining its longer-term environmental and social consequences, especially for cities like Dublin. Garden development may seem like a no-brainer in a crisis, but we must recognise that public urgency should never override sustainability. Dublin already faces significant challenges due to climate change, including increasing flood risks, rising seasonal temperatures, and infrastructure stretched beyond capacity. Gardens are one of the few permeable surface areas left in our urban landscape and replacing them with impermeable housing will worsen surface runoff, overwhelm drainage systems, and heighten flood dangers. 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The 85 per cent higher gross household income of those with a second property is most likely to be largely explained by higher salaries/income that have enabled them to buy a second property in the first place rather than income from this property. Interestingly, Sirr doesn't elaborate on the sharp drop off in the income difference when comparing gross to net (85 per cent dropping to 56 per cent). This is likely to be disproportionately impacted by how rental income is taxed, a topic that bizarrely is largely ignored in the media. With income tax of 40 per cent, USC of 8 per cent and PRSI of 4 per cent all applying, the small landlord is left with 48 per cent of the rent after Revenue takes the majority. Deduct an annual management fee, some repairs, time lost to constantly changing regulatory requirements, and the psychological burden of being consistently vilified in the media, and you are more likely to get a real insight into 'How much do small landlords really earn' and why they are exiting the market. – Yours, etc, EMMETT McCRANN, Kilmainham, Dublin 8. Sir, – I was intrigued by the headline to Lorcan Sirr's Opinion piece. And almost immediately disappointed that the article moved on from the very salient issue of landlord incomes within a few column inches. It was interesting to learn that, according to CSO data, the gross household income of small landlords was 85 per cent higher than that of non-landlords, with net income 56 per cent higher. What I would have liked more clarity and analysis on, however, was if that 'net' figure is simply net of tax or net of tax and other costs, such as mortgage principal payments, maintenance and compliance? 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Eighty per cent of suicides and 78 per cent of those killed on our roads were male. At least two-thirds of people sleeping rough on our streets are men. If we can say that Ireland isn't a safe place for women, then the simple facts show that it is a far more dangerous place for men. There should be no hierarchy of victims based on gender, race, age or any other consideration, and it cheapens us all to suggest that crimes against women – which are in the distinct minority – ought to deserve some sort of special focus. – Yours, etc, SARAH-ANNE CLEARY Strokestown, Co Roscommon. Sir, – Ireland is a strange country where women and children have to die before they can be considered safe from a violent husband/partner/men ('The only comfort we have is that Vanessa, James and Sara are together and finally safe,' August 4th). They are not safe, they are dead. This crime must be fully investigated to identify any red flags that will be obvious in hindsight. Men don't kill their wives/partners and children out of the blue. There are always signs. Unfortunately, we and society are very good at ignoring or minimising them. – Yours, etc, Dr JACKY JONES, Galway. Sir, – Carolanne Henry's claim that 'Ireland is not a safe place to be a woman' resonates. As always, I am struck by the absence of a male outcry against abhorrent male violence. Decades ago, Germaine Greer stated in her book the Female Eunuch: 'Women have very little idea of how much men hate them.' Come on men – prove her wrong. If you can. – Yours, etc, PAMELA McDONALD, Blackrock Village, Cork. Supermarkets and food recalls Sir, – A bag of Tesco mild spinach was already half-eaten in my fridge when, mid-doomscroll on Instagram, I stumbled across news of its recall due to listeria. Now, instead of feeling virtuous, I'm overthinking every bowel movement and throwing out what was meant to be my week's attempt at healthy eating. 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The fact that the values of these estates are matters of public record does not make them of public interest. What purpose is served by publishing this, aside from identifying bereaved family members who may have benefitted from these estates? – Yours, etc, BRENDAN McCARTHY, Islington, London. Brought to book Sir, – Maureen Dowd is enthused by men who read novels (' Books are sexy and men who enjoy reading are attractive ', August 4th). Seemingly a 'man staring into a phone is not sexy. But a man with a book has become so rare . . .' I wonder does a Kindle e-book qualify ? – Yours, etc, MIKE MORAN, Clontarf, Dublin 3. Sir, – In relation to the article by Maureen Dowd, would she please confirm it also applies to old guys who read The Irish Times! – Yours, etc, JOE WALSH, Dublin 13.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Look out! Ardmore's not so round tower on a cliff could be yours for €450,000
On the lookout for.... a tower? ON the lookout for a Munster coastal property with heritage, expansive views, and bragging rights galore? Tiny tower could be a one-bed weekend get-away? Look no further than Ardmore's historic lookout tower, on 26 acres of dramatic headland and cliffs, abutting the picturesque west Waterford village, ringed by a clifftop path. 'It's a slice of Ardmore magic, situated in one of Ireland's most scenic locations: this property has been admired by thousands over the years and now is your opportunity, subject to planning permission, to recreate and bring back to life,' says estate agent Brian Gleeson, who is selling the farmland and Napoleonic-era tower all-in for €450,000. The cliff walk experience will not be affected. Lookout tower has 26 acres, with about 17 arable/grazing: the rest is outside the cliff path traveled by hundreds daily Ardmore's lookout tower was built in the early 1800s to allow watchkeepers to spot approaching French ships during the Napoleonic wars; it's one of dozens along the south coast, each one within sight of the next for signalling, including Martello towers. A small number have been converted to private residences. The 26 acres include 17 acres of tillage/pasture and nine wilder acres surrounding the cliff path, with one of Munster's top hotels, the Cliff House Hotel, trading on the adjacent headland. High end: Ardmore's Cliff Top Hotel in 2012 Auctioneer Brian Gleeson says the 220-year-old lookout tower 'would make an ideal, sensitive restoration project, transformed in to a unique micro-accommodation experience, offering a luxury retreat perched above the dramatic coastline'. With 'careful restoration and minimal modern additions, such as a spiral staircase, rooftop viewing deck, and eco-friendly amenities, the tower could serve as a one-of-a-kind stay for couples or solo travellers seeking privacy, history, and panoramic sea views', he adds, all subject to planning approval. 'This type of experiential tourism aligns with growing demand for distinctive, off-grid destinations and could significantly enhance Ardmore's appeal' says Mr Gleeson.
Irish Examiner
4 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Labour leader calls for public inquiry into sex abuse allegations at St John's Ambulance
The leader of the Labour party has called for a full public inquiry into St John's Ambulance charity, saying it is 'regrettable' that it has not taken place to date 'as survivors need transparency'. Ivana Bacik made the call while speaking in the Dáil and urged the Taoiseach Micheál Martin to 'join us in supporting survivors' calls for a full public inquiry.' Ms Bacik is the latest politician to call for an inquiry, which has also been made by past and present TDs and senators over the last two years. These follow the publication in 2023 of a report by Dr Geoffrey Shannon which found systemic failures in the charity. Mick Finnegan from Dublin was first to break his silence and say that he was raped and abused by a former senior member of the charity who has never been charged. Ms Bacik told the Taoiseach: We know that St John's Ambulance has paid money in settlements to survivors who allege sexual abuse in childhood by a former senior figure in St John's Ambulance and we are aware of further civil cases in that some have been referred to the gardaí. 'In 2023 the (Geoffrey) Shannon review confirmed systemic failures in St John's ambulance from the 60s to the 90s and I note in a recent statement from minister Foley confirming that her department had provided funding for a 12-month period to ensure that all of Dr Shannon's recommendations, including safeguarding, be implanted in full," Ms Bacik said. 'She also confirmed she had no plans to establish a statutory inquiry. Taoiseach that is regrettable, survivors need transparency, a plan for the implementation of the recommendations of the Shannon report and review, and survivors say they are exhausted by delays and by the tone of engagement they have received to date. 'Taoiseach, what is your view on this and do you join us in supporting survivors' calls for a full public inquiry?' The Taoiseach responded saying he was 'focused' on the implementation of the recommendations from the Shannon report. He acknowledged there were 'many calls for inquiries by many areas', but said he has a 'broader concern of commission of investigations methodology and model as a basis of dealing with issues of this kind'. Mick Finnegan has also hit out a large volume of redacted Freedom of Information papers which were received by a member of the Oireachtas. He said his issues remain the same and wishes to 'move forward' with a full inquiry. Mick Finnegan said 'once the Dáil comes back into session in September we will definitely be following up on this'. He told the Irish Examiner 'Funding for a safeguard officer seems to have ended last month. Since the Dáil has ended there are no parliamentary questions being answered. 'But once the Dáil comes back into session in September we will definitely be following up on this. He said that in March senator Chris Andrews also called for a statuary inquiry into St John's Ambulance. 'Minister for Children Norma Foley did not agree and you can see her full speech and notes on their reasoning as to not hold such an inquiry. 'Overall, none of the documents gave concrete evidence that a child safety officer has been implemented' he said. 'We will be following up on this with Ms Foley once the Dáil is back in session.'
