EU/Energy:Water shortages will become more common in Ireland during the summer because of the impact of climate change, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned.
In a major report, the agency says farmers will have to irrigate some fields if they are to maintain crop yields.
The water shortages will particularly affect the east, notably around Dublin, which has seen significant population increases in recent years.
Private wells and septic tanks for once-off housing in rural Ireland, meanwhile, will become "less viable".
"Those most vulnerable to climate change are likely to be the old, the very young and the sick," it said.
Major industries heavily dependent on water supplies, such as concrete manufacturers, "may come under increasing pressures".
Ireland's remaining peat bogs, which are already on "the cusp of existence", will be further endangered because of summer drying.
The Government and local authorities should carry out detailed research on the effect of future development on each river basin, the agency said.
"In Ireland, it is likely that in some regions, especially the south and east, irrigation will be required to keep certain crops viable.
"Irrigation both increases production for available resources as well as increasing the risk to water quality," said the EEA.
Questioned about future Irish energy policy last night, Minister for Finance Brian Cowen insisted that nuclear power would not be considered.
However, he said the Government respected the fact that nuclear is part of "the energy mix" of other member states, most notably France.
The European Union, he said, had to have a single voice on climate change if it was to push for change at a global level.
"There was strong support for a major decision at the council meeting, and that the collective target should be credible," Mr Cowen said last night during a break in the two-day meeting.
He had "every faith" in the ability of the German chancellor, Angela Merkel, to encourage the US to accept co-ordinated global action.
The energy deal likely to be agreed today by EU leaders would allow for flexibility to be created reflecting national differences.
The European Commission president, José Manuel Barroso had been "anxious" to reassure countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland that their particular energy difficulties would be catered for in any final package.
The 20 per cent binding renewable target by 2020, expected to be agreed today, is not a problem for Ireland, because the Government has set higher targets of its own, he said.
