This article is from page 4 of the 2013-02-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
A PROPOSAL by Dublin City Council to extract water from Lough Derg has been described as a “disastrous plan for the River Shannon” by Clare’s councillors.
Cllr Pat Burke (FG) sought the support of the regions MEPs to prevent such a move at all costs.
“This would be a loss of water from this area and a loss of investment,” he said.
“It is being strongly promoted by the east coast TDs and MEPs and is a total disregard for those living outside the pale,” he said.
Cllr Burke said that areas around the lake, close to which he farms, have restrictions, as they are special areas of conservation (SAC).
“A neighbour was refused planning permission to build a house because it was in a SAC. So how can Dublin come down and put a pump on the shores of Lough Derg when a local farmer’s son cannot build a house on the family land?” he asked.
“We don’t trust them [DCC] when they say they will only take it at times of flooding.”
Pat “The Cope” Gallagher (FF) suggested that Dublin capture all its own “wasted water” before it looks elsewhere.
“I know from being the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government the amount of water that is wasted every year through corrosive pipes,” he said.
Jim Higgins (FG) said that in 21 years times there would be a € 350 million litre of water shortage in Dublin.
“Let them sort it out themselves in terms of replacing corrosive pipes,” he added.