The Nobel Peace Prize winner, the sewage plant and Irish Water

Glenburnie Beach, Moville, Inishowen, Co Donegal

Glenburnie Beach, Moville, Inishowen, Co Donegal

The European Commission could scupper Irish Water’s plan to build a controversial €13 million sewage plant next to Nobel laureate John Hume’s Donegal home

Hume’s wife Pat told this newspaper that the house at beautiful Glenburnie Beach in Carnagarve had been “a lifesaver” for her husband during dark times and the threat of the sewage plant had been “devastating”.

But a European Commission official investigating the matter has raised concerns about the way Irish authorities approved the project, according to correspondence seen by this newspaper. It is another potential complication in Irish Water’s task to end serious raw sewage problems afflicting 44 Irish urban areas.

The embattled state water company has planning permission from An Bord Pleanála for a sewage plant at the site on Lough Foyle to cater for a population of 8,800 in nearby Moville and Greencastle. But locals have fought for a decade to have the plant moved out of Lough Foyle to a site on the nearby Atlantic coastline.

John Hume and his wife Pat pictured in Derry earlier this year Picture: James Whorriskey

John Hume and his wife Pat pictured in Derry earlier this year Picture: James Whorriskey

“There is a horrendous problem with raw sewage going straight into the rivers,” said Enda Craig, who has led the fight. “People in Moville and Greencastle have to live with the smell and the rats so it is understandable some want it put anywhere at this stage. But Carnagarve Beach is beautiful and the wrong place for this.”

John Hume’s wife Pat agreed, describing Irish Water’s proposed solution as “shortsighted”.

“John and I are both getting well on in years but we think of our children and grandchildren,” she said, explaining they bought the house “after a very bad period” in 1987 when their house in Derry and two cars were firebombed.

“Very few people went to this part of Inishowen because you had to come through British army checkpoints so properties were very reasonable. It’s the best thing we ever did. It has really been a lifesaver. ”

“This is one of the most beautiful coastal pathways in Ireland,” she said. “To jeopardise it in any way is wrong and shortsighted. This magnificent shore walk is one of the big things it has to offer and it would be a terrible shame if it was jeopardised when other alternatives exist.”

Following the loss of a judicial review in 2013, local objectors took their case to Europe. They claimed a failure by the Irish government to transpose the EU’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) directive into law had allowed the Donegal sewage plant to be granted planning permission ahead of the granting of an EPA discharge licence and proper assessment of the impact of a 300 metre long sewage outfall into Lough Foyle.

Irish Water said it is advancing the project to comply with wastewater regulations and a EPA discharge licence. It expects to tender the project in the next 12-18 months.

A Department of the Environment planning official dismissed the concerns in an email to Craig saying that “the Department understands that the EC [European Commission] is satisfied that the EIA Directive has been transposed satisfactorily in this regard.”

But a senior Commission official tasked with monitoring Ireland’s compliance with EU environmental law wrote last week in an email seen by this newspaper that “we are of the view that the EIA Directive applies in a case such as Moville in that an EIA screening process was required. We will be discussing this issue with the Irish authorities over the coming weeks.”

Saga

The email is just the latest twist in a saga that has run since plans were first put in place to build the plant in 1989. Following local consultation, a site outside the Foyle Estuary was eventually chosen in 2003.

But this was suddenly dropped two years later in favour of Carnagrave Beach, a site subsequently rejected three times by an An Bord Pleanála planning inspector. It is believed locally that the British crown still lays claim to the seabed right across the lough from Derry to the Co Donegal shoreline, which, objectors predict, could cause issues if construction proceeds.

In 2006 the Port and Harbour Authority in the area objected to the plant’s proposed 650-metre effluent outfall pipe running beneath the nearby busy navigation channel. But instead of abandoning the proposed site, the county council cut the outfall length to 300 metres. Objectors claim this greatly increases the risk of effluent being washed back onto the shore.

A hydrographic report prepared for Donegal County Council attempted to dispel this fear saying treated sewage would be pushed out of the mouth of the estuary by strong currents. But a senior oceanographer engaged by locals produced a report to say that the sewage, including raw sewage at certain times, would indeed be pushed onto the shoreline twice a day by the tide.

Meanwhile, locals applied to Donegal County Council to have Carnagrave Beach officially designated as a bathing location under EPA rules, possibly forcing the relocation of the plant.

But the local authority, which directed all queries from this newspaper on the project to Irish Water, refused to grant the bathing designation saying it preferred to allocate scarce resources to existing Blue Flag beaches in the county.

By Fearghal O’Connor Sunday Business Post Aug 9, 2015


The Campaign for a Clean Estuary in Inishowen says indications coming from Europe are that their challenge against a Sewage Treatment Plant at Carnagarve near Moville will be adjudicated on later this year.
It follows a Sunday Business Post report that EU officials have expressed concern at elements of the plan, and the way the location was determined.
Campaign spokesperson Enda Craig says this is potentially very significant………


Save the Foyle THE SOLUTION

Click Image to go to Save the Foyle web page

Click Image to go to Save the Foyle web page

The sewage plant and pipe should go north of Greencastle (as was decided by council motion of 1990) where the effluent can be treated and discharged into the open sea. THE RIGHT PLANT IN THE RIGHT PLACE


WATER PROTESTERS BANNER ABOUT ENDA KENNY DESCRIBED AS ‘DISGUSTING’

A poster unfurled by water protesters in Glenties yesterday evening has been described as 'disgusting' and 'deplorable.'

A poster unfurled by water protesters in Glenties yesterday evening has been described as 'disgusting' and 'deplorable.'

Up to FIFTY water activists protested as Taoiseach Enda Kenny visited the annual MacGill Summer school.
However, the poster they made was a deeply personal attack on the Taoiseach which purported that the banner was written by his dead mother.

The poster read, ""Kenny a message for you, from guess who?? I lie here in my grave, restless, distraught, in tears and despair as I unable to stop you rob cheat and lie to the Irish people.
"Please stop before it too late so I can RIP Your Mother. Bye".

The message has been widely condemned with many people taking to social media to express their disgust at the poster - with many saying the poster has brought shame to the county.

Breda O'Donnell wrote, "Bringing the good name of Donegal down with this disgusting banner. Lowest of the low.

Frank Smith said, "As much as I despise Enda Kenny, that is plain disgusting.

Donál Brennan wrote, "This is like something you'd see from the lovely people in the Westboro Baptist Church.
"It proves the whole water protest movement has lost credibility due to it being hijacked by trouble makers and thugs with zero cop-on or intelligence.

Patrick McGinley said, "They don't represent the normal people of Donegal
"We don't lower ourselves to those levels.

Sharon Leonard said, "Not going to attend any more water charges protests after seeing this, I cannot stand Enda Kenny, but this was obviously done by sick people.

However, there are still some defending the poster's message and the stance taken by the small group of water protestors.
Austin O'Meara said, "If you find that banner more offensive than people dying on trollies because of cuts made by Enda's government who stood by and let people die only to take inheritance tax off them and send that money to bail out the entire European banking system.

"All the while crying poverty and cutting vital services so we can send €650 million per year out on foreign aid with no chance of getting it back, paying private debt with public finances.

"I don't know of the circumstances of his mothers death but I would be certain enough she was never on a trolley in a corridor.. To those complaining about this banner do you really find it more offensive than the utter contempt this man's government holds the Irish people in.

What are you thoughts have the water protestors brought shame on Donegal??

Article by Donegal Daily July25, 2015


The Following Is An Article In Donegal Daily Right2Water Chairperson Defends The Banner

RIGHT2WATER DONEGAL DEFENDS USE OF ‘THAT BANNER’

Enda Kenny's visit to the Mc Gill Summer School brought with it much media attention, not least his remarks about a Sinn Fein/Independents coalition being a freak show.

However, it was the protest outside the Highlands Hotel that brought the most controversy.
A certain banner was singled out for special attention by the National media.

Charlie McDyer Right2Water Donegal

Charlie McDyer Right2Water Donegal

Right2Water chairperson Charlie Mc Dyer explained “this banner has been around for quite some time and while I don’t condone the message it displays, it is not within our powers to patrol every banner or placard that people bring to protests”.

The banner, claiming to be a message from Mr Kenny's deceased mother has caused a furore on social media with people divided in their opinions about it.

Ms Mc Dyer continued “we live in a democracy where free speech is allowed, I find it rather ironic that people are so outraged; when inside the Highlands Hotel where Enda Kenny gave his speech, people were not allowed to ask him their own questions. His speech was scripted, as usual, and there were set questions which were not to be deviated from – where is the free speech in that instance?”

The outrage that the banner has garnered may well be justified but Charlie questioned whether the banner really is so bad.

"When the Government took medical cards away from special needs children where was the outrage? The Health Service is at crisis point with people lying on trollies for days....where is the outrage? When the Government cut lone parents payments where was the outrage? The list goes on and on. The absolute contempt that Enda Kennys coalition has shown to the people of Ireland is outrageous. We protest because we want him to see that it is the ordinary people who are suffering while the Government protects the very people that caused the financial crisis in the first place. As Enda Kenny said himself 'this is about more than water"

Original Article Donegal Daily, July 27, 2015


Buncrana Together puts it up to politicians to back peaceful agreement

James Quigley is spokesperson for the Inishowen anti water charge group which brokered a peaceful agreement between the group and MBC Builders, Ballybofey, one or the subcontractor who are installing meter boxes and meters in Donegal. See this article Inishowen Comes To Grounbreaking Agreement in Donegal Daily.  Mr Quigley recently contacted all local and national politicians in the Inishowen Peninsula by email in the hoped that they would publicly support this peaceful and sensible agreement.  He believes that it is the duty of politicians to support and encourage such an endeavour.  It is our hope, he said, that any hostile group or individual would take heed of any forthcoming statements of support from our elected representatives and see the brokered agreement in a different light. Silence from our politicians in this matter is not acceptable. It is even more imperative that 'leaders' in our county be brave and speak up especially in light of recent criticisms of this deal.  See this article in Donegal Daiily 'Outsiders Trying to Disrupt Water Meter Agreement In Inishowen Claim'.   All article can be read in www.buncranatogether.com.

Full email to all Inishowen representatives

Date: Tue, 21 Jul 2015
To: albertdoherty@eircom.net; bernardmcguinness@donegalcoco.ie; jackmurray@donegalcoco.ie; charlie.mcconalogue@oireachtas.ie; joe.mchugh@oireachtas.ie; johnryan@donegalcoco.ie; martinfarren4labour@gmail.com; martinmcdermott2014@gmail.com; nicholascrossan@eircom.net; padraig.maclochlainn@oireachtas.ie; paulcanning@donegalcoco.ie; renadonaghey@donegalcoco.ie; thomas.pringle@oireachtas.ie;

Subject: Inishowen agreement with water contractor

A Chara

Please see  this article in Donegal Daily
http://www.donegaldaily.com/2015/07/19/inishowen-comes-to-groundbreaking-agreement-on-water-meters/

I have been elected spokesperson for the Inishowen group in question.

The above article concerns an agreement which members of Inishowen anti
water charge groups were able to broker with MBC Builders, Ballybofey.
MBC Builders is subcontracted by GMC Sierra to install boundary boxes
and meters in Donegal.  Up to now this contractor did not respect 'no
meter' signs in property which did not want a meter and have no contract
with Irish Water.  This hard stance led to controversy and friction
between themselves, householders and opposition groups throughout the
county.  The potential for this controversy to escalate in Inishowen is
great especially after the episodes in Moville and Manorcunningham.
However,  John Gildea has now demonstrated his willingness to come to an
agreement and has stated that he would abide by the 'no meter wanted'
signs' now and in the future.
This opportunity for a peaceful resolution where a mutual accepted deal
has been brokered is too good to miss.  We all have a responsibility to
do everything in our power to help avoid conflict.  We believe this
agreement has the potential to do this.
I would like to point out that we have been pursuing this approach all
along and to that end we have constantly publicised it through the web
page buncranatogether.com.  Indeed at a public meeting in Feb 2015 in
the Lake of Shadows hotel where a audience voted overwhelmingly in
favour of us trying to broker such an agreement.
As you might know GMC Sierra and their subcontractors have resumed
operations as part of their 'second phase programme' in Donegal.  At the
moment their operations have been halted in Inishowen but we have been
informed that it will resume again here within the next couple of months.

You may or not be aware but we are experiencing opposition by hard
liners who for some reason do not want to talk to Gildea or have
anything to do with Irish Water.  We find it hard to understand their
arguments but their opposition exists and has the potential to wreck
this deal.  We need support from everyone who see the sense in this
approach.  To that end we invite you to give us your support.  If you
would write a statement to that end we would put it up on Buncrana
Together facebook page and our web page if you have no objections.

FYA read
http://buncranatogether.com/home/2015/3/18/obnw4qvggeda0mj5rrcl7jc9klp7fh
A full account of an agreement that has been working for past 7 months
and which demonstrates a public mandate for this approach.