THE SOD was officially turned on a major €16.3million investment from Irish Water in wastewater treatment in Enniscorthy on Friday. Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government Simon Coveney took arrived in town to do the honours in the midst of a major battle for the leadership of the Fine Gael party.

Speaking of the investment and also the progression that has been made on providing energy efficient social housing in Enniscorthy, Minsiter Coveney said that “Wexford is in the very top tier for ambition in terms of housing and planning and the future”.

He said that, Enniscorthy being one of the towns nationwide that had failed to meet European standards in terms of wastewater treatment, this major investment was desperately needed, not just for this but also in terms of protecting a natural tourist attraction in the River Slaney.

“Enniscorthy can really grow now,” said Minister Coveney. “The current outdated facility had the capacity for 16,000 people. The new one will cater for upwards of 26,000 people. It seems to me Enniscorthy is really a part of Wexford and the South East that’s on the move and I want to acknowledge the role of all of the local public representatives in this.”

For more on this story and Minister Coveney’s visit to Enniscorthy, pick up a copy of this week’s Echo.

CEO of Wexford County Council Tom Enright, Brendan Howlin TD, County Council Chairman Cllr Paddy Kavanagh, Minister Simon Coveney, Michael Tinsley of Irish Water, Minister of State Paul Kehoe and James Browne TD at the sod turning for a new €16.3m wastewater treatment plant for Enniscorthy.