Councillors feel Irish Water will hinder plans

IRISH Water has come under fire from local councillors, who claim that the national water body will hamper their plans for the county in the new County Development Plan

Issues papers for the new Kerry County Development Plan 2022-2028 have been published, thus opening public consultation on the future of the county. Currently this plan is at its very early stages, and the public is urged to bring up general issues on the future of the county.

“It is wide open. Now is the time to raise issues, not on individual plots of land or on zoning but a broad level of engagement on what should be included,” said Director of Services Michael Scannell.

The new county development plan will take two years to prepare, and this is only the first step in a long process, councillors were told at the recent Kerry County Council (KCC) meeting.

However, a number of councillors raised concerns about Irish Water.

Cllr Niall ‘Botty’ O’Callaghan said that he had grave concerns about putting his name to a plan which will include Irish Water, as aspects of the plan agreed by the councillors cannot be put in place without the water body’s acceptance.

He added that he feels councillors’ powers were being eroded.

“To me, as a councillor, I can’t put my name to a plan that I can’t control,” he said.

Cllr Marie Moloney (Lab) also supported Cllr Callaghan’s claims, asking how councillors could possibly zone land for development without Irish Water.

She cited the situation in Kilcummin as an example, where Irish Water had informed councillors that the sewerage scheme was going ahead and, within a few weeks, this all changed: “Irish Water is a big problem and a big problem in this county development plan,” she said.

KCC CEO Moira Murrell and Director of Service John Breen said Irish Water would be consulted during the creation of the County Development Plan.

“There will be a lot of engagement. It is a huge consideration for us,” the Council said.