THE Save Galway Bay environmental group has made "a generally positive" response to a significant alternative plan for Galway's controversial sewage treatment plant, which involves locating it underground, either on Mutton Island in Galway Bay or at a land based site.
A number of city councillors including the mayor, Mr John Mulholland (FG), are now in favour of a re-examination of options despite having persisted with the proposal which would have the plant overground with a causeway linking the mainland.
This has raised hopes of a compromise solution which could see SGB withdrawing a case brought in the High Court seeking a judicial review of the original proposal. The case had prevented construction starting.
If the objectors are prepared to accept changes as envisaged by a Belgian company, which builds waste treatment plants for the global market, focus would then shift to the Department of the Environment and Galway Corporation.
The alternative would cost approximately the same (£23 million) but would be more expensive to operate as it involves more extensive "tertiary treatment" and pelletising of waste, which is then used as a fertiliser.
It is understood that both bodies are considering the proposal but have been reluctant to comment on such a radical revision of its plans, which they have persisted with despite objections and the European Commission's environmental concerns.
The SGB chairman, Mr Michael O'Flaherty, said they were aware of the alternative while they were the first to meet the Belgian company involved, Seghers Engineering Water NV. A company representative had approached SGB with their proposal having examined the city's requirements. "It is a better system than is currently being proposed."
SGB welcomed confirmation that the plant could be built underground at the Isolation Hospital site in Galway docks and was not in favour of locating it at The Claddagh.
He was aware that the Department of the Environment was looking at the alternative plan. Asked if the underground option had featured in continuing, behind the scenes discussions with the Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht, Mr Higgins, he said: "Alternative technologies have."
This latest option, according to a city councillor and TD, Mr Padraic McCormack (FG), needs now to be fully investigated. Following a visit to some of the company's plants in Europe, he added: "It's time to look at this again. The problem of raw sewage going into the bay is too great."
Mr Mulholland said it was clear that alternatives had to be looked at again and quickly".
Ms Margaret Cox (FF), an opponent of the current plans, said that on initial examination the alternative was a workable and worthwhile solution. "I'm obviously delighted that some councillors are at last prepared to look at it again."
Meanwhile, Mr McCormack claimed that the EU has, in effect, a hold on the Irish authorities which would prevent the Mutton Island plant going ahead as proposed, even if the Government was prepared to fund it. This was because the EU was withholding over £20 million for adjoining sewage treatment works to serve the Oranmore and Knocknacarra suburbs.
Following a meeting with Commission officials, he understood the stance was related to concern about the Mutton Island plant, which the Government promised to pay for. The Irish Times understands that there is a strong view in Government that in view of the EU stance, it does not want to be left with an additional £20 million bill for Oranmore/Knocknacarra. This, in any event, is putting a question mark over the current Mutton Island plan.
