CONSIDERABLE concern and disappointment was raised at Limerick City and County Council’s (LCCC) “failure” to establish the Irish Cement’s community liaison committee by the previously committed deadline of September 2025, putting the company in breach of its planning permission.
The committee, intended as a vital oversight link between Irish Cement, the Council, and Raheen, Dooradoyle, and Mungret residents, is a legal requirement under planning permissions granted to Irish Cement’s €10million plans to phase out fossil fuels at its Mungret plant in favour of burning alternative fuels, including solid recovered waste and used tyres.
Responsibility for the committee’s establishment, however, lies with the local authority.
Speaking to the Limerick Post, Independent councillor Maria Donoghue revealed that she became aware of the legal issue in October 2024, following an approach by members of Limerick Against Pollution (LAP).
Since then, the City West representative says she has liaised with LAP, Council officials, and stakeholders to gain clarity on all parties’ positions and to help move the process forward.
“As recently as July — only five weeks ago — I was informed of the proposed structure of the committee and given an estimated timeline for when it would be in place,” Cllr Donoghue commented.
“In the weeks since, communication has stopped. My follow-up queries are going unanswered. It’s extremely frustrating that the positive momentum I had built up over months with key people in LCCC has simply stalled at the eleventh hour.”
Cllr Donoghue stressed the importance of the committee to public confidence, transparency, and environmental accountability.
“This committee is not optional — it is a condition of planning approval, and LCCC has a responsibility to deliver on it,” she said.
“Residents have legitimate concerns. Ignoring those concerns, and failing to meet planning obligations, sends the wrong message entirely. I am very disappointed that the work I carried out to date to push this committee forward has been disregarded.”
The Independent councillor told this newspaper that “the planning conditions clearly state that An Bord Pleanála is to be contacted” if such conditions are not implemented.
“I am surprised that LCCC cannot see fit to fulfil its obligation under Condition 12 — the establishment of the Community Liaison Committee. This failure is now forcing residents and stakeholders to escalate the matter to An Bord Pleanála to seek accountability and clarity.”
Cllr Donoghue hit out that “failure to align with planning conditions seriously undermines the permission granted. I cannot understand why LCCC appears willing to place Irish Cement — and the wider public trust in the planning process — in such a difficult position. I am calling for a clear, confirmed timeline for the establishment of this committee.”
Raheen resident John McInerney said that concerns are growing in the community with many people asking what is going on.
“The failure by LCCC in this matter is a matter of curiosity and questions. We are now calling on Dr Pat Daly, CEO of LCCC, to intervene on behalf of the community to ensure our concerns are fears are allayed,” Mr McInerney said.
Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan expressed disappointment on being told by Mayor John Moran in July that the committee is only at the start of being established.
“This was after I had been told by Council executive that it would be established in Q4 of 2024. From my mayoral question, we now know that €38,000 is available for distribution through the community gain fund. I believe there should be much more funding available at this stage considering €1 is to be given to the community for each tonne and permission was given to burn 90,000 tonnes of alternative fuels.
“I have requested a copy of the agreement between Irish Cement and Limerick Council that was due to be made prior to the burning of alternative fuels and am awaiting same as Irish Cement is now in breach of planning that this has not been established and the community gain fund administered,” Cllr O’Donovan claimed.
When contacted for comment, the Council said it wished to reaffirm its absolute commitment to the establishment of the community liaison committee (CLC) in line with the conditions set out in the An Bord Pleanála grant of permission in April 2018.
The Council said it recognises the importance of the committee to the local community and the urgency of ensuring it is put in place.
“The Council is currently finalising the CLC with a number of key actions at an advanced stage of progression. Every effort is being made to conclude these steps and establish the Committee within the coming weeks,” a Council spokesman said.
“Once formed, the CLC will oversee the administration of the Community Gain Fund and act as a forum for ongoing liaison between the company, the local authority, and the community. Limerick City and County Council remains fully committed to ensuring that this process is completed swiftly, transparently, and in a way that delivers meaningful benefits to the community.”
The Limerick Post asked Irish Cement for comment, but no response was received at the time of going to print.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
