A GP in Moville says a recent communication from the EU Commission regarding Ireland’s non compliance with an Environmental Impact Assessment directive has significant implications for plans to local a sewage treatment plant at Carnagarve.
Antoinette Long, an EU Commission official has confirmed to the Campauign for a Clean Estuary Group that Ireland was non compliant in relation to granting planning permission for waste water treatment plants, and new legislation is now necessary.
Dr Don Mc Ginley says this has implications for the Moville Greencastle Scheme, and particularly the discharge of effluent close to the beach at Glenburnie.
He spoke to Greg Hughes on today’s Shaun Doherty Show……….
Text of EU Commission e-mail –
Dear Mr. Craig,
Thank you for your e-mail of Friday 29 January. In relation to the status of the project at Moville, we are not informed of the details of any preparatory work that may have been undertaken by Irish Water.
Irrespective of what may have been done in the past or of any preparatory work undertaken, we remain confident that no licencing decision will be taken (and consequently no building will be started) until the planned new legislation is in place and a licence has been obtained. The precise timing of this legislation is not entirely clear, particularly in view of the upcoming election.
However, we believe that this legislation should ensure compliance with the C-50 judgment in the area of waste water discharge licencing (although we have not seen draft texts yet). Therefore any future decision should and must comply with the judgment and with the EIA Directive.
Please note that I am copying Mr. O’Lionan on this message, so that you can follow up with him directly in terms of the timing of the planned new legislation. In the meantime we will continue our informal contacts with the authorities to ensure that all necessary steps are taken.
Regards,
Antoinette Long
LONG Antoinette
Case handler for Ireland – infringements
European Commission
DG ENV
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