Kavanaghopposes plantositeoil-tanks onbeach

August 1990

THE controversial plan to site oil storage tanks on the beach at Wicklow Harbour received the thumbs down this week from TD Liam Kavanagh who said: ‘it’s not appropriate at all for the area.’

Coming down firmly on the side of the residents of the Murrough, Deputy Kavanagh said the oil tanks wouldn’t add anything to the port area and there are certain hazards about the operation that are not necessary.

He suggested that the tanks could have been located in the Murrough or elsewhere in the county.

Deputy Kavanagh said he had been involved in the issue for a long time.

‘My position is that it has to be properly maintained. When the original planning permission was refused I considered that to be the right decision but this was then reversed without consultation with the Harbour Board.’

He praised the residents of the area ‘who have marshalled their arguments very well.’ He said they had legitimate concerns, including the problem of a potential spillage.

Such spillages are covered by rules and regulations but ‘ the planning permission went through, in my view, without any consultation on that side of it,’ said Deputy Kavanagh.

He also claimed that EU directives had not been followed either.

‘I am against the plan because there are alternatives for the site.’