Visitor facilities for Mullaghmore, Co Clare, are not possible due to the lack of a viable or sustainable water supply, a Bord Pleanala hearing was told yesterday.
Mr David Ball, a consultant hydrogeologist for the Burren Action Group, said it appeared that insufficient work had been carried out to prove that a sustainable, safe water supply could be provided.
He said: "As the applicants do not appear to have presented credible evidence of both a viable and sustainable water supply source or water treatment method, then it appears that the board should conclude that the entry point, with facilities for staff and visitors, is not viable or sustainable."
Mr Ball was speaking on the fourth day of the oral hearing in Ennis of an appeal by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands, Ms de Valera, against the decision of Clare County Council to refuse planning permission for visitor facilities at Mullaghmore.
Referring to the Environmental Impact Statement of the applicant, Mr Ball said a conclusion made that bringing water by tanker to the site would be the best short-term solution appeared to be an admission that the applicant did not believe a sustainable water supply could be provided for the entry point.
In other evidence on behalf of the Burren Action Group, Prof Emer Colleran expressed serious concerns at the applicant's plan to dispose of treated effluent by tanker to an unspecified site.
Clare County Council also expressed strong reservations yesterday about the applicant's plan to take away the effluent by tanker.
Ms Mary Burke, an executive chemist, said the removal of treated waste would create a precedent whereby the council would have to grant similar concessions for other developments in areas where there was extreme vulnerability in terms of discharge to groundwater.
The action group is expected to conclude its evidence on Monday. The hearing continues until Wednesday.
