‘No room for error’ as Amazon’s plans to install subsea cables off coast of Wexford approved

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

One of the biggest technology companies in the world has been warned “there is no room for error” as it continues plans to install a subsea fibre optic cable off the coast of Co Wexford.

An application to install the Beaufort cable system 12 nautical miles from Kilmore Quay was submitted to An Coimisúin Pleanála (ACP) by Amazon Ireland in April of this year and, if approved, would “enhance connectivity of Ireland’s rural communities to high quality telecommunications networks”.

In its application, Amazon points out that this is a replacement of a fibre optic cable which was first installed off the coast of Co Wexford in 1999 which it says played a “transformative role in reshaping Ireland’s telecommunications landscape”. However, that system “reached the end of its operational lifespan in 2024” and, as Ireland’s demand for digital bandwidth grows, Amazon says that replacing the old cable has “become essential to sustaining resilient, high-capacity, international connectivity”.

The overall site is approximately 38.5km in length and will connect Kilmore Quay to Pembrokeshire, Wales, the cables will be 33mm in diameter, will be buried to an average depth of approximately 1.5 m and are expected to have an operational life of 35 years.

At the June meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC) these plans were presented to councillors who were invited to submit their objections or observations. Given the challenges already faced by the local fishing community, Councillor Jim Codd was at pains to ensure those working in Irish waters were not impacted by the installation of the cable.

“Those cables would want to go down good and deep so the trawlers are not catching them. I know of one trawler skipper who’s been brought to court by a huge company because the cable cleared the sand,” he said. “There’s no one against the cables but this is a huge invasion of fishing ground. Our coastal community has always been very welcoming and supportive of these projects but it must be done correctly.”

It was noted in the Amazon’s application that, as part of the project, it has “supported local community projects to the value of €125,000”, and councillors were keen to ascertain where that money had been spent.

If approved, the cable will commence construction off the coast of Kilmore Quay.

“Has that investment of €125,000 happened already?” asked Cllr Aoife Rose O’Brien who also had concerns regarding the nature of the works. “We need assurances that there won’t be any impact to the marine environment. We have to make sure there is no room for error with this and that we’re not having to address it at a date further down the line. “

According to its submission to ACP, Amazon has provided funding of over €125,000 to 15 separate projects in the local community and is currently in discussions with the community for further impact funding in 2026.

Explaining the next part of the process, executive planner Diarmuid Heuston said ACP would make the final decision on whether to grant planning but that councillors’ observations would form part of that decision-making process.

“This is a project of international importance,” he said. “ACP has determined that it needs to go through its processes, so it has written to us and asked for us to forward on any observations from councillors.”

While he commended Amazon for its “improved engagement with the community”, Cllr Codd said the multinational company still had the tendency to occasionally act without impunity.

“A digger ambled its way down to the Burrow in the last few weeks without any forewarning, those huge companies should be accountable for their actions,” he said. “I’d certainly like to know in advance when a digger is going to make its way down onto the beach.”