Opposition to Derg abstraction in murky waters

A PLEA for a united opposition against the proposed abstraction of an estimated 500 litres daily from Lough Derg by 2020 was plunged into some turbulent waters at a recent meeting.

Clare County Councillor Pat Burke has been consistent in his opposition to the controversial plan by Dublin City Council (DCC) to abstract water from Lough Derg to address shortages in the Dublin region. Along with his fellow area councillors – Pascal Fitzgerald, Cathal Crowe, Michael Begley and Joe Cooney – Councillor Burke expected councillors from both sides of the River Shannon would unite in opposition when the issue was discussed at a joint meeting of the Killaloe and Newport Electoral Areas.

However, the lack of unequivocal opposition from all North Tipperary councillors left Councillor Burke taken aback, particularly with the stance adopted by Councillor Jonathan Meaney.

Councillor Meaney told The Clare Champion that while he is opposed to the water abstraction, he wants to make an informed opinion through an independent assessment by consultants, which have yet to be appointed by the authority.

“I think this proposal is ludicrous and I don’t want this to have an adverse impact on the lake. I have heard the information from DCC and now I would like to hear an independent assessment. This issue will be decided by An Bord Pleanála and I think any submission the council makes should be informed by this assessment,” he said.

Councillor Burke also requested a statement from Minister Alan Kelly, who lives in Portroe just a few miles from Ballina. The Mountshannon Councillor believes Councillor Meaney should be every bit as concerned as he is about this plan.

“For me this is a no-brainer. Dublin City Council is planning to abstract huge volumes of water from Lough Derg and transport it to a facility in the midlands before it is taken up to Dublin.

“What more information does he want; he is living on the shores of Lough Derg as well as I am?

“I expected full support from North Tipperary county councillors for the campaign opposing this proposal. I know one businessman in Dromineer who is very worried about the impact this would have on this business,” he said.

Councillor Burke warned it could rule out the possibility of attracting a large multinational that could need large volumes of water that could be recycled back into the lake. He warned if DCC got the go-ahead for this project, huge volumes of water would leave the lake and be transported to the capital, where there would be no facility to recycle it back in.

It was announced at a recent North Tipperary County Council meeting that DCC would provide funding for the council to engage independent consultants to review its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the water abstraction.

Following concerns expressed by councillors at a meeting last year, it was also stated that councillors will have to be consulted on the extent of the terms of reference for this assessment to ensure the brief is wide ranging. The council will also appoint these consultants.

Councillor Burke expressed concern that if DCC effectively end up paying for these consultants, it could undermine the credibility of any independent assessment of the authority’s plans.

North Tipperary County Councillor John Carroll, who is also opposed to this plan, warned it would seriously hinder the development of tourism and leisure facilities on the lake and the potential to use large volumes of water for commercial enterprises.

With foreign direct investment in decline, Councillor Carroll stressed that everything possibile should be done to boost tourism-related enterprises on the shores of the lake.

His concerns were shared by Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald who claimed it would destroy tourism and recreational amenities on the lake. He proposed that DCC redouble its efforts to reduce waste and leakages from its public water supply in the capital.