Movement at last for Mayo wastewater project

THE long-stalled Newport wastewater project has ‘finally moved off the shelf and back onto the table,’ following confirmation that the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) has instructed Uisce Éireann to proceed to public consultation on the Maritime Usage Licence application (MUL230037).

“For years, people in Newport have been told to wait, wait for updates, wait for answers, wait for progress,” Deputy Paul Lawless said. “This week, we finally saw a door open.”

The Maritime Usage Licence will allow Uisce Éireann to carry out essential foreshore surveys in Clew Bay to identify the most appropriate location for a wastewater treatment plant to serve Newport, a step that is necessary before any construction or final design decisions can be made.

“This is not the finished job,” Deputy Lawless said. “But it is proof that persistence works.

“It is a small step and anyone who has lived with this issue knows that even small steps matter when nothing has moved for years.”

Deputy Lawless said the breakthrough followed a recent direct and productive engagement with MARA, which clarified that Uisce Éireann has now been formally approved to move to public consultation under the Maritime Area Planning Act.

“This moves the project from limbo into a statutory process.

“That matters,” he said. “It means there is now a clear path to allow the assessments to take place, and we are pushing hard to see that work happen over the summer months.”

Deputy Lawless has written to Uisce Éireann seeking confirmation that they have received MARA’s instruction, asking when they intend to publish the public consultation notices, and urging them to begin preparatory work immediately.

“I have been very clear with Uisce Éireann: this cannot drift again,” he said. “Now is the time to line up contractors, plan the surveying work, and be ready to move the moment consultation concludes.”

He also met with the Newport Sewage Concern Group this week to brief them on the latest developments.

“I have worked closely with the Newport Sewage Concern Group throughout this process, and I want to acknowledge their determination. They never let this issue fade into the background - and neither did the people of Newport.”

Deputy Lawless said the lack of progress in the past was unacceptable.

“For too long, this application gathered dust while the community lived with the consequences. Progress only came when we demanded detail, transparency, and accountability.”

He added: “This is not mission accomplished but it is a step forward. I will continue to fight to make sure this project keeps moving, because Newport deserves more than promises. It deserves delivery.”