Whelan criticises standards of water treatment plants

In a statement, Peter Whelan, the Aontú representative for the Laytown-Bettystown electoral area in east Meath said:

I was very much involved in a campaign in county Meath in the past year - The Save the Boyne campaign made over 400 submissions regarding the pumping of so-called treated effluent into the protected River Boyne.

At the time we, along with scientific evidence pointed, out the concerns of dilution not occurring due to low levels of water during dry spells. The industrial plant in question was given permission to pump approximately 400,000 litres daily into the protected River Boyne. In a recent report pointing out that Kildare County Council and Uisce Éireann were guilty of higher levels of chemicals than allowed being discharged into the River Liffey during 2023 from the bsllymore eustace treatment plant.

Whelan goes on to say :
If our government run water treatment plants cannot adhere to the standards set out by the European Union , then I would question the fact of them policing and granting permissions given to discharge treated sewage into our waterways. Our campaign in Meath is still very much alive, and we are still awaiting a response from An Bord Pleanala.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.