AECOM has announced that its interactive web-based virtual public consultation tool has been used for the first time in Ireland.

A virtual reality information event for Roche’s Clarecastle decommissioning project was unveiled on Thursday, May 21. It includes a number of posters providing information on the project, which involves decommissioning of the site and remediating areas including a historic landfill.

Current social distancing rules due to coronavirus meant the public information sessions which had been planned at the West County hotel, Ennis, Co Clare, could not go ahead, however, this new tool has allowed engagement with the local community from a computer or mobile device.

Launched globally last month, AECOM accelerated the development of the virtual public consultation tool to help those developing building projects continue with crucial public information sharing during the coronavirus pandemic.

AECOM project director Sinead Fitzpatrick said: “This innovation from AECOM will mean that we can keep projects moving forward despite social distancing measures. This virtual consultation tool will allow more people to access information about this project and ask questions in a user-friendly way.”

The virtual consultation is online here: https://rochedecommissioning.consultation.ai/