The Environmental Protection Agency has recently published its report on water quality in Ireland from 1998 to 2000. In the case of rivers, the report shows a reversal in the trends of slight and moderate pollution and a slight reduction in serious pollution generally. Modest improvement in the water quality status of our lakes has also been noted. The report notes that it is felt that the wider range of catchment management techniques that have been implemented in the recent past may be responsible for this improvement.
I am encouraged to note the improvements reported by the EPA. However, pollution remains the most serious threat to fish stocks. Under the National Development Plan, over €3 billion has been provided for water and waste water treatment which is providing the essential infrastructure to deliver on the water quality objective.