Grace O'Sullivan (Green Party)
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I thank the witnesses for their presentations. We need security of supply but we need to be sure supply is available through diversification. I support Ms Kennedy's work very much because she has given us the opportunity not only to go with the flow but to do our job as legislators and take a hard look at what is being proposed.

I have a number of questions for Mr. Grant. The new project proposes to bring water from the River Shannon to Dublin. Will Irish Water continue to take water from the River Liffey? Will the company use groundwater sources for supply? I am concerned about quality. If the water is brought from the River Shannon, pumped into the greater Dublin area and becomes contaminated, what diversification options will be in place to ensure security of supply? On the issue of leakages, seepages and so on, has analysis been conducted on water saving appliances? Technology is developing in this area with regard to conservation. What savings could be made in water supply to ensure we do not have to look to another project similar to the River Shannon scheme?

The Green Party in Limerick met the River Shannon Protection Alliance last weekend. Questions remain about the environmental impact of the scheme, even if only a small volume of water is taken from the river.

There will be some impact one way or another. If it were to happen, would there be any chance of a greenway being laid alongside it to bring tourists, not just only water, back and forth across the Shannon region?