MEP MacManus raises Newport sewerage concerns with EU Commission

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has raised concerns with the European Commission regarding the discharge of raw sewage into the sea at Newport, County Mayo. The Midlands Northwest representative has described delays in providing adequate wastewater infrastructure in Newport as an ‘unacceptable situation,’ and has asked the Commission to investigate.

MEP MacManus said:

“Since at least 2016 raw sewage has been discharged into the sea in Newport due to inadequate wastewater infrastructure. The effluent is discharged into Clew Bay, which is a Special Area of Conservation and a designated shellfish area. This has raised serious environmental and health concerns in the local community.

“I have been in contact with Irish Water, who cannot give a definitive date for the upgrade of the Newport sewerage scheme and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant. They have stated that in the optimistic scenario where the necessary licences, consents and permissions are granted for each stage without any objections, planning appeals, legal challenges or undue delays, then a wastewater treatment plant of this kind could be completed in five to seven years.

“This is an unacceptable situation, and I have raised the delays in providing adequate infrastructure directly with the European Commission. I have asked them to investigate the impact these discharges are having on the Special Area of Conservation in Clew Bay and any potential breaches of EU environmental legislation.

“Irish Water cannot continue to treat the local community in Newport in this manner, and I will continue to work with my Sinn Féin colleagues Rose Conway-Walsh TD and Karen Gallagher on this matter. ENDS

Note to Editor:

Link to Question for written answer  E-000547/2024 to the Commission
Rule 138 Chris MacManus (The Left)

https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/E-9-2024-000547_EN.html