Dublin's drinking water under threat - Greens

Recent planning decisions by Wicklow County Council have placed Dublin's drinking water under threat it was claimed today.

Green Party chairman John Gormley claimed that granting of planning permission to Roadstone for a quarry in Blessington could pose a risk to water quality in Poulaphouca Reservoir.

The Green Party TD was joined by An Taisce chairman Frank Corcoran, and Wicklow Independent Cllr Tommy Cullen on a fact-finding mission to the Blessington area today.

Green Party Councillor Deirdre de Burca said she had official documents signed by Wicklow County Council's Director of Environmental Services stating that the water in the Blessington aquifer is polluted.

Mr Cullen also expressed concern that Wicklow County Council had not investigated other potentially serious illegal dumps near the Poulaphouca Reservoir.

Mr Corcoran added that the recent decision of Wicklow Country Council to require Roadstone to develop a landfill on its lands at Blessington above a regionally important aquifer was "inexplicable".

"The Minister for the Environment musty appoint an inspector with the powers of a commissioner . . . to look into the whole issue of illegal dumping in Blessington and Wicklow County Council's handling of it," Mr Corcoran said.