Derg extraction would be a ‘disaster’

THERE could be an environmental disaster if Dublin City Council gets the green light to extract water from Lough Derg.

That was one of the views expressed at last week’s meeting of Clare County Council, while Labour’s Pascal Fitzgerald also claimed that North Tipperary County Council is “being bought”, as it has not come out against the proposal.

Councillor Pat Burke said he is “very opposed” to the extraction and that if there is  a prolonged dry spell in the future, there could be “an environmental disaster”.  He described the proposal as “balanced regional development at its worst”.

Councillor Burke said, as a farmer on the shores of Lough Derg, he is aware that water cannot even be taken for animals at the moment. “I would be very concerned that if Dublin got a foothold, it would have devastating consequences,” he added.

Councillor Fitzgerald was very critical of North Tipperary County Council, alleging it is not opposing the extraction for financial reasons. He said there would be strong opposition in South East Clare. “We fought the boundary and we will fight the water extraction,” he commented.

Fianna Fáil’s Cathal Crowe said, “It would be severely detrimental to Lough Derg, East Clare and Killaloe if the water were extracted.” He also said there are other options available, such as desalination in Dublin Harbour and further damming.

A number of other councillors also expressed their opposition to the extraction, some describing it as “crazy” and pledging to oppose it.