Farm groups not happy about letters sent to landowners over Shannon to Dublin pipeline that passes through Kildare

The IFA and ICMSA are 'disappointed' with Uisce Éireann for sending offers to farmers whose land is in the path of the new Shannon to Dublin water supply line without first reaching an agreement with the organisations.

In a joint statement to the Leinster Express / Laois Live, the IFA and ICMSA said they have been negotiating with Uisce Ėireann on the Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project for months.

The pipeline was run through Tipperary, Offaly, Kildare and the edge of Laois with further distribution supply routes planned.

They say the process was undertaken to agree on a package that would be offered to landowners whose lands are on the proposed 170 km pipeline route along the Laois border not far from Mountmellick.

They say Uisce Éireann has now sent an offer pack out to farmers on the route.

“While the discussions between the negotiating teams have concluded, the final outcome has yet to go before the governing bodies of our organisations for approval. Prior to the negotiations commencing, both the IFA and ICMSA made it clear to Uisce Ėireann that such approval would be sought and required.

“We advised Uisce Eireann that we would put the proposed agreement to the scheduled meetings of our governing bodies in early September. The compensation package and associated items will still be put the governing bodies for approval at that point.

“We are disappointed that Uisce Ėireann chose to issue the offer pack to landowners in the absence of a final agreement with IFA and ICMSA. We have told Uisce Ėireann that their September deadline for farmers to accept the offer is far too premature and suggest that they should extend this deadline by a number of weeks. MORE BELOW VIDEO.

“Both organisations will issue a further update once the package has been brought in front of their respective governing bodies.

“Farmers on the route should take the time to read the package on offer and consult with qualified advisers. They should not feel pressured by this communication from Uisce Ėireann,” concluded the statement.

Uisce Éireann replied to the statement.

“Given the short timelines, Uisce Éireann has issued a wayleave package to landowners along the proposed pipeline route, and wishes to acquire wayleaves on a voluntary basis, in advance of the submission of a Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application.

“We are engaging directly with landowners to offer a compensation package which includes upfront payments for impacted landowners. Uisce Éireann’s priority is to progress the Proposed Project in order to provide a resilient, safe, and secure water supply with capacity to address the water supply needs for up to 50% of the population,” it said.

The State-owned utility outlined landowner engagement with approximately 500 landowners along the route of the proposed Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region. It is not planned to connect Laois to the supply.

It added that engagement has been ongoing with these landowners since 2016, primarily via Landowner Liaison Officers. Uisce Éireann said these Officers have been advising landowners on the progress of route development and technical design, as well as arranging access for environmental and ground investigation surveys.

The company said the Liaison Officers would provide landowners with a dedicated point of contact throughout the planning, construction and reinstatement phases.

They outlined their contact with the IFA and ICMSA.

“We would like to thank the IFA and ICMSA for their input and feedback in advance of our communications to landowners. The voluntary wayleave package issued has greatly benefited from the discussions and negotiations that took place between Uisce Eireann, the IFA and the ICSMA,” said the statement.

Uisce Éireann also explained that the delivery of the water supply project is critical to the delivery of housing and growth for the State.

“ The project has received Government approval in principle and Uisce Éireann has given a commitment to Government that the Strategic Infrastructure Development planning application will be submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála later this year,” it said.

The initial idea of piping River Shannon water to Dublin came in 2006 via Dublin City Council and other Eastern Region local authorities.

In 2018, Irish Water announced plans to seek planning permission for the project which will enable supplies serving Dublin to be redirected back locally in Carlow, Wicklow, Meath and Louth.