THE €1.3 BILLION Greater Dublin Drainage Project can now move forward after Uisce Éireann reached an agreement to settle judicial review proceedings initiated in the High Court.

The Greater Dublin Drainage Project consists of a new regional wastewater treatment facility which will have the capacity to serve 500,000 people.

It’s set to be located on a 30-hectare site in Clonshagh in Fingal.

Uisce Éireann says people in north Dublin, as well as parts of Meath and Kildare will benefit from it.

A planning application was first submitted to An Coimisiún Pleanála back in 2018 and planning permission was granted in November 2019.

However, the planning application was remitted for reconsideration following an Order of the High Court in July, 2021. 

Uisce Éireann submitted further information and in July of this year, An Coimisiún Pleanála again granted planning permission.

At the time, Taoiseach Micheál Martin pleaded with the public not to object further to the project and remarked that “we do not have the luxury or the capacity for extended judicial review mechanisms and processes anymore”.

Nevertheless, that decision was the subject of Judicial review proceedings which commenced in September.  

However, a settlement was today achieved following “constructive engagement” between all parties and this avoids the need for a full court hearing.

As part of the agreement, Uisce Éireann said it “committed to some additional measures to further enhance public confidence in the environmental benefits of the project”.

Uisce Éireann added that it “appreciates the decision of the courts to expedite the judicial review proceedings” and that it “remains committed to working collaboratively and transparently with all stakeholders”.

The resolution of these judicial review proceedings allows Uisce Éireann to progress the project, which it says will “protect public health, safeguard our environment and facilitate housing and economic growth to 2050 and beyond”.

Uisce Éireann’s infrastructure delivery director, Maria O’Dwyer, said Uisce Éireann is “delighted to secure an agreement and move forward with this critical project”.

She said the project will “facilitate housing and growth while protecting public health and safeguarding our environment”.

While there are several remaining statutory processes to be completed, O’Dwyer said construction contractor procurement will commence in February.

When the contractor procurement process is complete, construction work is expected to be completed over a four-year period. 

Meanwhile, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne welcomed the settlement in the Judicial Review court proceedings.

He said it is “very good news for new homes given the urgent need to accelerate housing supply in North Dublin and its surrounds”.

Browne added that the Government is “committed to driving forward the Greater Dublin Drainage project and other key infrastructure projects”.