Reality check for Kerry council: Cost of water

Today’s report about efforts by Kerry County Council to use the Sheen River to supply Kenmare with water describes in microcosm the problems around matching an ever-growing demand for water with finite resources.

The council incurred costs — primarily engineering and legal — of €700,000 trying to deliver the project which was abandoned in the face of stiff opposition from farmers and conservationists.

Cllr Johnny Healy-Rae suggests that bill cannot be considered a final figure as staff costs were not included.