Irish Water lobbies government over planning delays

A Freedom of Information request from the Irish Independent has revealed that Uisce Éireann (Irish Water) has complained to ministers about planning processes delaying the delivery of crucial infrastructure and lobbied for changes to speed up the current sclerotic system. Most major projects end up in court.

The publicly-owned water company said bureaucratic and lengthy procedures were impeding the development of housing and other works.

It urged the government to introduce measures which would enable the local government minister to direct the national planning agency An Bord Pleanála to prioritise applications and appeals involving projects of national importance.

Uisce Éireann said it was frustrating that schemes like the Greater Dublin Drainage project to develop a new wastewater treatment facility and associated infrastructure for north Dublin typically takes five to seven years (or longer) to progress through planning.

The government has published legislation to reform the planning system but this will not be enacted until next year.