Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I call for an urgent debate on the proposal by Dublin City Council to abstract 470 million litres of water from Lough Ree. This issue was raised on the Adjournment last week but a full debate is of vital interest. The River Shannon is the artery of Ireland. It is crucial and touches half the counties of Ireland. It is essential we retain the water in Lough Ree and the River Shannon because it is very important to the development of the region. The Oxford English Dictionary describes abstraction as dishonest removal, pilfering or purloining. That is the case as far as I am concerned. Dublin City Council is proposing to steal our water. There is a row between the Palestinians and the Israelis about water. Water is a crucial issue and a major debate should take place. I know where the Leader's heart will be in this regard because Westmeath County Council will have to make the decision on this proposal by Dublin City Council.