Shannon water extraction given critical infrastucture designation

The plan to extract water from the Shannon for water supply in Dublin and parts of the midlands has been designated by the Government as critical infrastucture.

Deputy John Clendennen welcomed the inclusion of the Water Supply Project - Eastern and Midlands Region in the first tranche of projects designated as critical infrastructure under the Critical Infrastructure Act 2026 as a vital step forward.

The designation means that public bodies involved in the project’s approval processes must prioritise their consideration, reduce timelines where possible, progress processes in parallel, and cooperate to accelerate decision-making.

The Act expressly requires this to occur without conflict with the bodies’ other statutory duties.

The project will create a new water source for the Eastern and Midlands Region. Uisce Éireann states that it has capacity to address the water-supply needs of up to 50% of the State’s population. It proposes abstraction from the Parteen Basin in Co. Tipperary, treatment at Birdhill, with a 172km pipeline then bringing treated water through Tipperary , Offaly and Kildare to Peamount in County Dublin, with capacity for offtakes along the route.

In addition to the pipeline passing through Offaly, some of the infrastructure associated with the project would also be based in the county. There's a proposal to construct a 2,160 square metre booster pumping station on 2.6 hectare site at Coagh Upper, Birr.

Four "potential future connection points" are included in the plans, two of which are in Offaly, at Killananny, and Ballyhugh or Springfield.

In addition, eight temporary construction compounds are being proposed along the pipeline's route, including a 15.6 hectare compound at Killananny in Offaly.

The county would also have six temporary pipe storage depots associated with the project - these would be based in the townlands of Toora, Boveen, Fortel, Derrinboy, Derryweelan and Rathlumber.

The decision comes after Deputy Clendennen’s call for urgent action on project delays during a Topical Issue Debate in Dáil Éireann recently.

Referring to the planning timeline, he told the Dáil, “There is a real need for urgent action by the Government to engage with An Coimisiún Pleanála to ensure this process is not delayed and that we see delivery from small business, societal and economic perspectives.”

Recent reporting stated that An Coimisiún Pleanála intends to determine the strategic infrastructure application before July 2, 2027, with a decision previously due earlier this month. Uisce Éireann has said it is working with Government to maintain current delivery timelines, including the new water source entering supply in 2032, subject to the relevant statutory approvals.

The designation now means that accountability to the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation will keep the project as a top priority for each agency and minimise delays.

Deputy Clendennen said: “I welcome this important designation for the Midlands Water Supply Project. As I highlighted in the Dáil last week, long delays in the delivery of major infrastructure have consequences for communities, housing, and the ability of local businesses to grow with confidence.

“This project is essential to strengthening water security for the Eastern and Midlands Region. It is never more evident as a nationwide hose pipe ban comes into effect. The designation must now translate into focused, coordinated action across the relevant public bodies so that decisions are made as efficiently as possible, while all planning and environmental obligations continue to be fully met.

“By giving this nationally significant project the priority it merits, we can support sustainable growth, safeguard future water supply, and give people and businesses across the Midlands and beyond greater confidence in the infrastructure on which they depend.”