Councillors urge MEPs to lobby the EU over Lough Talt

IRISH MEPs are to be called on to make representations to the EU Environment Commission to allow Irish Water build an upgraded water treatment plant at Lough Talt.

Councillor Margaret Gormley’s motion was supported by all members.

“I have contacted Marian Harkin and she tells me she has set up a meeting with IRish Water and the EU Environment Commission,” said Cllr Gormley.

“The health of people is more important than snails,” she added.

It was reported that Irish Water were considering piping water from Lough Conn in Mayo, an idea which was dismissed as “lunacy” by Cllr Jerry Lundy.

“Whoever came up with that idea wants to go back to the drawing board,” he said.

“Lough Conn is 26 miles away. A Treatment plant is vital for the 13,000 people, it’s only going to improve the area,” he added.

Cllr Lundy pointed out that the Arctic Charr fish was present in Lough Talt, which has survived from the Ice Age, some 18,000 years ago.

“My understanding is that there’s no snail there, it may come. Now, it may rain tomorrow,” said Cllr Gormley.

Cllr Keith Henry fully agreed: “It’s a case of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing - both EU Directives are in conflict with each other.”

Cllr Dara Mulvey said Irish Water wanted to put a solution in place and really needed the buy- in of all the stakeholders.

“This so- called snail - Irish Water said it wasn’t even there. You have two conflicting resolutions and that’s the problem,” he said.

He said Irish Water were considering a temporary solution in the short term.

Director of Services Tom Kilfeather said the matter had “left the jurisdiction” and would now be resolved at EU level.

“Everyone is on the same page on this. Cllr Gormley said a long term solution could take seven years - that’s a long time away,” he said.