Irish Water has come under fire over a decision to cordon off 15 acres of landscaped lands around the upgraded Stillorgan Reservoir.

The utility is upgrading the facility to a covered reservoir, in line with best practise, to safeguard the supply of water for the 200,000 people it serves in South Dublin.

Fine Gael Senator Neale Richmond has urged all politicians to throw their support behind a local campaign to alter the cordon.

Senator Neale Richmond said: "Sandyford is a thriving local community with 5,000 residents in the immediate vicinity and 40,000 residents within 5km. There are also 26,000 employees in the business district, as well as schools and childcare facilities – why is Irish Water intent on depriving the community of what has potential to be a stellar public park?

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"The park has the potential to be life-changing for local residents. It would offer a green oasis for the community, and somewhere for children to play safely outside.

"Playing pitches for local sports clubs should also be considered under revamped plans for the site."

He continued: "The utility has said a publicly accessible open space is not feasible as the site will remain an active water supply site. But surely there is capacity for the community to have access to part of the site safely.

"A local park of this size would have enormous health benefits, as well as social and economic benefits for the area.

"Irish Water needs to go back to the drawing board on this one and come up with a solution to open at least part of the site for community use.

"I have written to Irish Water asking for the decision to close off the entire area to the public to be reconsidered, and I hope common sense prevails here," Senator Richmond concluded.

(CM/JG)