Dáil debates

Thursday, 12 July 2018

Water Conservation: Statements

 

4:00 pm

Photo of Eamon RyanEamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

This debate is welcome because we are facing a potential crisis. If the current high pressure system, the easterly weather system and the absence of our traditional gulf stream continues we face two crises, the first of which is in the area of agriculture. What is happening on the ground in agriculture is probably the immediate crisis. There is no grass growth in the vast majority of the country. Farmers are coming out of an incredibly harsh winter and facing into a perilous autumn when they may not have the necessary fodder stored to keep cattle through the winter. Cereal farmers, spring barley growers and others have had a very tough few years. This is a shocking crisis for those people, one that will affect their everyday lives.

The second crisis is the possibility of our not being able to maintain conventional water supplies. I understand that we have sufficient water for the coming weeks but if this current weather pattern continues we may face a very serious situation in the autumn in terms of water supply. There are already people in north Dublin whose water has been cut off owing to reduced water levels and thus low pressure such that water cannot be pumped to their houses. It is hoped this development will not occur on a widespread basis.

I note the Minister's figures with interest, including that nine of the treatment plants are in critical drought conditions and 50 are in severe drought conditions. I presume that if this weather continues for another two or three weeks that drought will spread to the entire system. As the Minister said, our rivers are at an historic low. I saw a photograph of the Shannon yesterday. It appears to be running at such incredibly low levels there is no water running the ESB system.

We have a crisis. It is unfortunate that this is the last sitting day of this session and we will not be able to meet to do anything further about it. The Minister has our support to do what is necessary for conservation. I was encouraged when the hosepipe ban was implemented. I understand that prior to the hosepipe ban we were operating at 650 mega litres a day in Dublin and that we are now operating at 570 mega litres. Temperatures have also dropped which would indicate that the higher figure was due somewhat to the very high temperatures but some of it as due to public response. We need to work together to manage this crisis and then look to the future and in terms of how we are going to cope with the climate change world.

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