Impasse concerns over Clare greenway route brought to Dáil
A DEADLOCK is causing a popular greenway project to be delayed, and a Clare TD is now calling on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to directly intervene and resolve the issue.
Independent Clare TD Michael McNamara has addressed the Dáil about an ongoing impasse involving a section of the preferred route for the Greenway project linking Limerick City with Scariff in East Clare.
TD McNamara’s main point of concern is the possible delaying of the project due to the ESB not facilitating a section of the preferred route at O’Briensbridge.
Deputy McNamara told the Taoiseach: “Waterways Ireland has developed a greenway that will go through the parish of Scarriff at Loughatorick, some 11km from the village of Scariff.
“This would mean that one could walk or cycle along a greenway from Dublin to Kerry via east Clare, or from Galway Bay to Kerry via east Clare. That is hugely exciting,” he said.
“There is a pinch point, however, at O'Briensbridge - that pinch point is the ESB and Parteen Weir.
“The ESB has said that it cannot have a greenway with tourists going along its embankment and that may be the case. The ESB needs to work more collaboratively.
“I acknowledge the ESB's goodwill towards this, but it needs to work harder on it,” added Deputy McNamara, asking the Taoiseach to make sure that Waterways Ireland and the ESB work constructively together to overcome this “to ensure there is not an obstacle to what is a hugely exciting project for east Clare and beyond,” he added.
In response to Deputy McNamara’s invitation to visit O’Briensbridge, the Taoiseach said he would be happy to do so. “In the meantime, I will certainly speak to the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, about it and the ESB as well,” the Taoiseach commented.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar confirmed that the project is at phase 2 where technical advisers are examining options for a preferred route and undertaking extensive stakeholder engagement.
He told the Dáil, “Proposals to allow the use of ESB lands for the greenway are currently being considered by the ESB and further meetings are envisaged.”
“Waterways Ireland, Clare County Council and Limerick City and County Council are currently engaged in the phase 2 option selection process. All reasonable feasible route corridors will be examined and their costs, benefits and effects on the environment will be interrogated to identify a preferred option,” the Taoiseach outlined.
Deputy McNamara outlined the importance of a balanced regional approach to tourism developments in Clare.
“Clare County Council is also developing the West Clare railway, which is progressing well. It is moving to the design stage and the Kilkee to Kilrush leg will be the first one to be constructed and opened.”