Portumna Chamber offers to bridge communications gap over Shannon pipeline
The proposed 172km underground pipeline would connect Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow, with offtakes for Tipperary, Offaly and Westmeath. The project also includes a number of major infrastructure sites along the route.
While Uisce Éireann says normal operating water levels on Lough Derg will be maintained, local representatives say clearer communication is needed to address concerns
."The Chamber would facilitate an open dialogue with Uisce Éireann to satisfy the gap in communications," says Mr Ridge.
"This is an opportunity to give proper concise information delivered with long term assurances. We need clear direction on the actual long term implications or there are a certain set that will always say 'no' – and we are giving them cause to say no.
“What will happen is that we are going to give way to the 'nay-says'. We want it spelt out in easy simple terms with actual readable and understandable statistics and long term assurances.
"I would love to see someone come down with real facts and real figures and be able to take the hard questions. There are economies of scale. We understand there is a great desire for water."
Uisce Éireann has confirmed the abstraction from the River Shannon under the 'Water Supply Project Eastern and Midlands Region' will not affect the normal operating water levels of Lough Derg or the Parteen Basin.
They have also confirmed that water levels will remain in the control of the ESB and “there will be no visible day to day difference for any water users”.
"We modelled the worst drought on record and it demonstrates that a water level can be maintained within normal operating levels," says Gary Gibson, Senior Programme Manager on the Water Supply Project team with Uisce Éireann.
"The modelling demonstrates the abstraction is sustainable.”
Planning permission has been lodged with An Coimisiún Pleanála for the project, which would take water from the lower River Shannon at the Parteen Basin in Co. Tipperary, downstream of Lough Derg.
The water would be treated at Birdhill, Co. Tipperary, before being piped through Tipperary, Offaly and Kildare to a terminal reservoir at Peamount, Co. Dublin.
What will happen is that we are going to give way to the 'nay-says’
An Coimisiún Pleanála held a statutory public consultation in early 2026 as part of its independent assessment of the project.
Last month, Uisce Éireann submitted a detailed response to the observations received during that consultation. An Coimisiún Pleanála will now decide whether to hold an oral hearing.
"We are hopeful to have a decision from ACP by the end of this year, or January of next year," says Mr Gibson.
"We could be on the ground in 2028, pending the appeal process, and finish the project in 2032."
He said the project would create around 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and generate significant spin-off benefits for local communities.
Concerns about the proposed pipeline were raised following a recent public information clinic hosted by Uisce Éireann in Portumna Town Hall.
In particular, fears were expressed regarding the potential impact on water levels. Local Fianna Fáil Cllr Ivan Canning believes much of the concern stems from a lack of communication, which has fostered “scaremongering”.
He is calling on Uisce Éireann to hold another public meeting or workshop in the area and ensure it is properly advertised, saying there was confusion locally about the purpose of the previous information evening.
"There is a lot of scaremongering," he said.
"There is a lack of communication and we need more workshops like this. Come out and talk to the people and it will alleviate their concerns.
"Many people thought the meeting was about water quality and not about the pipeline. With more information on the ground it might alleviate their stresses and strains.
"If they say it is just a maximum of 2% a per annum it wouldn't be a huge thing. It doesn't sound like a huge amount."
Cllr Canning said ongoing flooding remains a greater concern for many local residents.
"In the long term, we need Uisce Éireann to help farmers with annual flooding in Meelick and other areas of East Galway," he said.
"We need to help farmers and landowners in the long term."
Uisce Éireann said it remains committed to engaging with communities throughout the project and has appointed a dedicated Community Liaison Officer (CLO) to support that work.
"Uisce Éireann has prioritised public and stakeholder engagement throughout the development of the proposed Water Supply Project," a spokesperson said.
"The CLO has held meetings with a number of interested stakeholders, including angling groups, GAA clubs, schools, group water schemes, youth groups and community development groups and we will continue to target and facilitate these meetings with key stakeholders along the route.
"We have held 20 community information clinics to date in 2026 with over 150 attendees, with further clinics planned over the Summer.
"Clinics have been held in local community centres in close proximity to the proposed pipeline route."
As the Senior Programme Manager on the project Mr Gibson said the organisation wants to continue engaging directly with local communities.
"People have concerns," he said.
"We want to be good neighbours. We are really committed to community engagement and that is very important to us. That is why we have appointed a Community Liason Officer.
"The East and Midlands are under stress as demand is outstripping supply. We have looked at hundreds of options and this is the most sustainable solution.
"We are confident in our Environmental Impact Assessment Report and the project has been subject to rigorous independent review.
"I am confident it is the right decision. We need to continue fixing leaks and to find another source for Dublin, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow."
Uisce Éireann said it is currently focusing engagement on communities in the Mid-West, particularly around Lough Derg, including East Galway.
The Portumna Chamber of Commerce has welcomed the opportunity to engage and are eager to facilitate more discussions, said Chairperson Dick Ridge.
Meanwhile, he said the Chamber's priority is to promote Portumna as a tourism destination.
"We're trying to develop as a tourism destination," said Mr Ridge.
"We are very blessed. We have the lake, river, castle, forest, the abbey and the workhouse. There is a low crime rate and we have a very friendly population.
"We are very conscious that more critical infrastructure is needed. We work very hard to do all of that and we don't need negative associations."
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