Plans to supply Dublin with water from the Shannon have come under fire in the Dáil.
The €1.2 billion project would see water taken from the Parteen Basin in North Tipperary through a 170 kilometre pipeline to the capitol.
The proposals have met with considerable local opposition with the Fight the Pipe group launching a strong campaign against it.
Deputy Mattie McGrath launched a stinging attack on the plans in the Dail last evening.
Minister of State for Local Government John Paul Phelan accepted that far too much treated water is being wasted.
However he said progress is being made in tackling this while pointing out that Dublin badly needs increased water supply.
