FF slams Reilly over sewage pollution in Rush

Published on: 23 April 2015


Fianna Fáil representatives in Fingal are demanding an explanation from local Minister James Reilly after the only beach in Rush has been forced to restrict bathing due to sewerage pollution.Senator Darragh O’Brien and local Councillor Brian Dennehy have blamed the Government for failing to complete the sewage scheme in Rush despite the funds being allocated to do so years ago.

Rush Councillor Brian Dennehy explained, “It is extremely disappointing that the Government’s failure to complete the sewage scheme has now forced restrictions to the only designated bathing beach in Rush.  The sewage network in the town is in desperate condition after years of neglect.  This has now finally caught up with the town and we are being forced to put up with bathing restrictions for the summer.  The impact on tourism and the local economy will be significant.

“The decision by Fine Gael and Irish Water to ignore the serious sewage problem in Rush is completely inexcusable.  The funding has already been allocated and it should have been finished two years ago.  The people of Rush have a right to know why their local Minister, James Reilly, has failed to stand up for this community and prevent significant sewage pollution in the town and on our beach,” said Cllr Dennehy.

The Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Dublin Senator Darragh O’Brien has written to the Environment Minister on several occasions over the past three years outlining the sewage problem in Rush and calling for urgent action.

“I warned the Government that this would happen but they ignored the warnings.  Now Rush has to put with bathing restrictions on the beach for the summer because Fine Gael, and its new super quango Irish Water, didn’t think it was important enough to act.  Local residents and the business community have been very badly let down by James Reilly.

“The Government’s entire focus has been on creating Irish Water at enormous expense to taxpayers.  Not a cent of this money has been spent on fixing the sewage problems in Rush or anywhere else. Now residents across Rush are receiving their water bills and are being expected to pay up despite the fact that they are being forced to put up with an outdated, leaking and dangerous sewage network that is polluting the local environment.“The local community needs assurances from Minister Reilly and his government colleagues that this scheme will be completed as a matter of priority.  People are deeply concerned that it is not on the agenda of Irish Water and that it may be pushed further down the road.  This would be completely unacceptable. It’s time for James Reilly to stand up, explain what has happened and take some action on behalf of the constituents who elected him.”

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