It will be at least another year before a review is completed into Irish Water’s proposed water pipeline between the river Shannon and Dublin affecting hundreds of farms.

“Given the complex nature and broad scope of information that it will be required to examine, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) does not expect that this process would be completed until at least late 2019,” a spokesperson for the water and energy watchdog told the Irish Farmers Journal.

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy asked the CRU last week to carry out a review of the proposed €1.3bn, 170km Eastern and Midlands Water Supply Project before he decides whether to give his green light.

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IFA environment chair Thomas Cooney hopes the review will accept submissions from farmers. “This is a huge imposition on the 500 landowners along the way,” he said, taking up a 50m-wide corridor during construction and leaving permanent infrastructure such as air vents and sluice valves.

The CRU spokesperson said the format of the review was not yet decided.

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