There are fresh fears for North Tipperary tourism as the possibility of water being extracted from Lough Derg is raised again.
A new report from Irish Water is warning there's a pressing need for a new supply for the Greater Dublin area and Midlands and is preparing to make a decision on the best Shannon based option.
However there are huge objections from local groups along the route of the river – including in North Tipperary and East Clare concerned about the impact.
Declan Collision of Lough Derg House in Dromineer is among those staunchly opposed to any efforts to extract millions of gallons of water from the Tipperary lake.
The North Tipp businessman – who is also a member of the Shannon Protection Alliance – was reacting to a new report from Irish Water which warns there's a pressing need for a new supply for the eastern and midlands regions.
Speaking to Tipp FM Irish Water spokesperson Gerry Grant says conservation and cutting down on leaks won't be enough.
The report goes on to state significant additional amounts of water will be needed including 215 million litres extra a day in Dublin alone by 2050 and its looking at a number of options including extraction from Lough Derg at either Terryglass/Dromineer or at Ardnacrusha.
Desalination is another option that has been suggested as part of the overall solution to the water shortage – it’s the favoured option of TDs like Clare's Timmy Dooley with Gerry Grant saying that remains on the table.
He also pointed out that under the larger plan being considered for the Midlands as well as Dublin that Tipperary could benefit
Environment Minister and North Tipperary TD Alan Kelly concedes that the current situation with water in Dublin cannot continue
Following the eight week process a decision on the preferred option is expected later this year – before an application goes to An Bord Pleanala for approval in 2017.
Irish Waters Gerry Grant says whatever's decided they will be mindful of the need to protect the interests of all regions.
