EU ministers in water shortage talks

Minister for Environment John Gormley will discuss water shortages and droughts with his EU colleagues at a summit in Luxembourg today.

Climate change issues are also on the agenda for the EU Environment Council meeting.

Recent trends suggest water shortages will become more prevalent across Europe in coming years.

Holland, Greece and Romania all suffered drought conditions in 2007.

The summit will be chaired by Portugal’s Minister for Environment, Spatial Planning and Regional Development, Francisco Nunes Correia.

Portugal currently holds the presidency of the EU.

“Ministers will also debate new schemes to monitor and reduce gas emissions from vehicles,” said an EU spokesman.

Mr Gormley and his EU colleagues previously attended a UN climate change conference in New York last month.