Shannon reservoir proposal to be discussed today

Plans to build a reservoir which would draw water from the Shannon to supply Dublin and surrounding areas will be discussed at an Oireachtas committee later today.

There have been calls for the 1,500 acre project to be fast-tracked, but the proposals are strongly opposed by some campaigners in the Shannon region.

Bord na Mona wants to construct the reservoir at Garryhinch in Co Offaly, and predicts that the €480m project would create 1,000 jobs during a three-year phase of construction.