“Plan to Tap River Shannon for Alleviating Water Shortages in Dublin and Midlands”
Dublin: The Cabinet has approved the Shannon River Water Project, which aims to supply water to the Eastern and Midlands regions of Ireland. This ambitious project involves piping water from the River Shannon to a reservoir in Dublin. With the Cabinet’s approval, planning permission for the project can now be pursued.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien presented the proposal to the Cabinet. Following the approval, planning permission can be applied for immediately. However, authorities anticipate potential legal challenges once planning permission is granted. As a precaution, a public hearing will be held regarding the project. The project is expected to be operational by 2032, but it can be cancelled within two years if significant objections arise.
Permanent Solution to Water Scarcity
The Shannon River Water Project is designed to meet the water needs of about half of Ireland’s population, utilising just two percent of the river’s water. The project will establish water connections to areas in North Tipperary, Offaly, and Westmeath. Additionally, it will divert water to Louth, Meath, Kildare, Carlow, and Wicklow. This initiative promises a sustainable water supply unaffected by weather variations.
Currently, 85% of the water needed by the 1.7 million people in the four counties of the Greater Dublin area is sourced from the River Liffey alone, which has been a significant concern. The Shannon Water Project emerged after Chief Executive Niall Gleeson highlighted the urgent need for a new water source at a recent parliamentary committee meeting.
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