‘Major disruption’ expected as ‘critical’ national project set to run through Offaly

‘Major disruption’ is expected in Offaly as one of Ireland’s largest ever infrastructure projects is set to run through a large part of the county.

Uisce Éireann’s Shannon to Dublin pipeline project aims to transfer water from the Parteen Basin on the River Shannon in County Clare to Peamount in County Dublin.

By abstracting water and transporting it to Dublin, it is set to provide a new, sustainable water source for the growing population in the eastern and midlands region of Ireland.

The project was discussed at the October plenary meeting of Offaly County Council.

Senior Executive Officer in the Planning Department, Caroline Dempsey, said the planning application for the project could be submitted by the end of the year.

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She warned elected members of “major disruption” once works get underway, with the pipeline set to run through the entire county.

It will enter the county near the townland of Cooraclevin in the south west and will exit just south of Edenderry in the east.

The project was being discussed in the context of the Draft Development Contribution Scheme 2026-2032.

The scheme outlines the financial payments that developers must make to the local authority when they receive planning permission for a new development.

Ms Dempsey told members that the council expects to receive €100,000 for every kilometre of pipeline laid in the county.

Given that 70 kilometres of the pipeline is set to be laid in Offaly, this could generate €7 million in revenue for the local authority.

The project has been designated as a Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID), which requires the developer to submit the planning application directly to An Coimisiún Pleanála.

This means that Uisce Éireann does not need to seek permission from Offaly County Council for the development.

However, the council will be invited to submit a report to the commission outlining its concerns once the planning application has been submitted.

Subject to planning approval, Uisce Éireann has said that construction of the pipeline could take up to five years.