§ Mr. MallonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in determining the future ownership and usage of Camlough lake, South Armagh. [1241]
§ Mr. MossThe Department of the Environment's Water Executive inherited water abstraction rights at Camlough lake at local government reorganisation in 1973. In August 1994 it published notice of its intention to vest the bed and soil of the lake. This is necessary to ensure the sufficiency of water obtained from this source for the pubic supply and to facilitate effective protection of the quality of water supplies.
A number of representations about the vesting proposals have been received. Discussions are currently underway with objectors, including those with parallel use proposals for the lake such as recreational development and hydro-electric power generation. The Water 672W Executive's position in such discussions is that any supplementary development must be compatible with the continuing use of the lake as a water supply source for the Newry area, especially in regard to the safeguarding of water quality. If agreement is not forthcoming in these discussions the Department will convene a local inquiry at which the outstanding issues can be presented and progress made to determining the lake's future ownership and use.
It is my understanding, as conveyed in a recent letter from my noble Friend, Baroness Denton, to the chief executive of Newry and Mourne district council, that the Director-General of Electricity Supply is still considering the complex issues involved in proposals for pumped storage electricity generation at Camlough.