Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on reports that plans by Dublin City Council is planning to take large quantities of water from the River Shannon; if his attention has been drawn to the major problems this would cause to tourism, employment, flora and fauna in the Shannon Region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36793/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Local authorities are responsible in the first instance for developing public water supply proposals to meet the needs of their areas. A study of the future requirements of the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) undertaken by Dublin City Council has projected, on the lines of current usage levels, that the GDA will require an extra 300 million litres of water per day by 2031 and identifies the River Shannon as one possible source in that context. I understand that Dublin City Council initiated a Strategic Environmental Assessment in relation to the study findings in 2006 and that extensive stakeholder and public consultation processes are underway in which it is open to all interested parties to participate. It would not be appropriate for me to comment on the process at this stage, or to anticipate the likely outcome.