“Urgent” action needed to tackle Dublin Bay water quality, says Heneghan

Dublin Bay North TD Barry Heneghan has renewed his call for immediate and sustained action to tackle the worsening water quality in Dublin Bay, warning that communities on the Northside are “bearing the brunt” of repeated pollution events.

Speaking in the Dáil during Taoiseach’s Questions, Deputy Heneghan said that recent heavy rainfall again triggered significant discharges from the Ringsend Wastewater Treatment Plant, leading to visible pollution plumes and elevated E. coli levels in the bay.

“Everyone has seen the drone footage,” he said. “After heavy rain, the treatment plant is forced to discharge, and those plumes are driven straight towards the north side. The current E. coli levels are simply not acceptable.”

Deputy Heneghan stressed that while pollution affects the whole bay, the north side consistently suffers more due to tidal patterns and the location of the outflow.

“In Dun Laoghaire they are already using oysters to help restore water quality,” he said. “We need the same level of attention and investment on the north side. Our communities should not be treated as an afterthought.”

Taoiseach Micheál Martin acknowledged the issue and committed to reviewing the wastewater treatment plant’s capacity and upgrade plans, noting that residents must be able to safely enjoy the bay’s waters.

Heneghan highlighted the real impact on swimmers, sea clubs and community groups, including those who recently raised funds at Clontarf Castle for Artists Without Borders and Palestinian visual artists.

“These are people who depend on clean water. They should not be swimming in polluted conditions because the system cannot cope with heavy rainfall,” he said.