'Absurd' that businesses in Mayo town paying for service "polluting Clew Bay"

A Mayo Oireachtas representative has slammed as 'absurd' the fact that businesses in Newport are being charged for a sewerage discharge service when a treatment plant does not exist in the town.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh said they are effectively paying as Clew Bay is being polluted.

She elaborated: "They have to pay the price of not having a proper scheme and then they are forced to pay by Irish Water. That has to stop.

"Businesses are rightly asking why they should have to pay for water going out.

"They will gladly pay for water coming in but they want to know why they should pay for water going out.

"The provision of the new treatment plant has to be accelerated and, in the meantime, businesses should no longer be forced to pollute the bay," she added.