A proposal which would have called for compensation for Clare and Tipperary for the extraction of water from the River Shannon has been criticised as premature.
Irish Water is progressing plans which would see water extracted from the River Shannon to supply properties Dublin and the Midlands and one Clare Councillor thinks that if successful the utility should be charged a levy.
East Clare Councillors have spoken out against the move however.
Irish Water is persuing a controversial plan which would see it divert up to millions of litres of water a day from the River Shannon to shore up supply in the Midlands and Dublin.
The plan has been largely criticised by local representatives, community and environmental groups here who’ve raised concern over the environmental and economic impact.
Ennis Fine Gael Councillor Johnny Flynn is among those against the project, but he believes that preparation should be made now to ensure Clare and Tipperary are compensated, in the event it does go ahead.
He says up to ten million euro a year could be generated through a levy, which could be linked to the amount of water taken.
Councillor Flynn feels the revenues generated could be invested in shoring up waste water infrastructure deficits here.
The call has been rejected by a number of Councillors, especially those representing East Clare.
Killaloe Fianna Fáil Councillor Tony O’Brien doesn’t believe the project will go ahead and says any talk of levies and benefits now is premature and sends out the wrong signal.
The Fianna Fái Councillor says the River Shannon and Lough Derg are important natural resources and says anything that has the potential to inflict damage on that is a major concern:
