River Suir: 14 Years Of Talk – When Will Real Action Begin?

Yesterday, the EPA issued a stark warning in its press release: “Faster action is needed, as water quality shows little overall improvement in 2025.”

• There has been little change in water quality indicators in 2025. Overall water quality remains unsatisfactory in many areas.
• Excess nutrients from agriculture and wastewater remain the greatest challenge to water quality improvements, with phosphorous and nitrate levels still too high in many of our waters.
• Some areas show improvements which is promising, but these are being offset by declines elsewhere. The scale and pace of implementation of actions to protect and restore water quality needs to be increased.

The message could not be clearer, and it should be a wake-up call for every community living beside a river in Ireland, including those of us along the River Suir.

The EPA’s Water Quality in 2025: An Indicators Report shows that there has been little change in water quality indicators in 2025, with overall water quality still unsatisfactory in many areas. Nutrient levels remain too high in a large proportion of water bodies, and slightly more than half; 54% of rivers and lakes are in good or better biological quality. So the question must be asked locally: why is the River Suir still being neglected?
For the past 14 years, we have heard promises, plans, meetings, schemes, visits and announcements, but the visible condition of parts of the Suir, particularly around Thurles, remains totally unacceptable.

On 25 May 2026, Tipp Mid West Radio reported that North Tipperary TD Mr Michael Lowry said he was submitting a funding application for works on the River Suir between Templemore and Ballycamas. That announcement is indeed welcome, but it also raises a very simple question: after so many years of concern about the condition of the Suir, why are we still at the stage of applications, announcements and proposed works?

We are also told that the Government has amended the Minor Works Scheme, that Tipperary County Council has been allocated €150,000 for river conveyance works, and that funding applications of up to €2 million may be made to cover remedial works. Mr Lowry has said he will work with Cllr Micheál Lowry to progress a plan for the River Suir, and Minister Kevin “Boxer” Moran is expected to visit Thurles to view the river’s condition.
That is welcome, but it cannot become yet another photo opportunity, followed by another decade of delay.

The EPA is clear that excess nutrients from agriculture, wastewater and run-off remain the greatest challenge to improving water quality. It has also said that while some areas are improving, those gains are being offset by declines elsewhere, and that the scale and pace of action must increase.

LAWPRO is working across the wider River Suir catchment to reduce damaging discharges, while community groups and Rivers Trust initiatives are encouraging local people, landowners and stakeholders to get involved in protecting the Suir and its tributaries. That community involvement is important, but communities cannot do this alone.

The missing ingredient for the River Suir is not more talk, it is delivery. We need clear answers:

► What works will be carried out?
► When will they begin?
► Who is responsible for delivery?
► Has the funding application now been submitted?
► What section of the river will be prioritised first?
► How will pollution and damaging discharges be reduced?
► How will progress be measured and reported publicly?

The River Suir is one of this region’s greatest natural assets. It should not be treated as an afterthought. Clean water supports biodiversity, public health, recreation, tourism, farming, fishing and local pride.

After 14 years of discussion, the people of Thurles and the wider Suir catchment area deserve more than statements of concern.
They deserve action, visible funded and accountable.