At a recent conference on environmental benefits of Cohesion Fund investment in Ireland, I had an informal meeting with Mr. Verstrynge, Deputy Director General of DG XI of the European Commission, at which we discussed a range of matters, including the application of the polluter pays principle in Ireland. I outlined the Government's position in this regard and stated our continued opposition to the reintroduction of domestic water charges.
The current draft of the EU Water Framework Directive, on which common understanding was reached at the Environment Council in June, proposes that member states shall take account of the principle of recovery of the costs of water services in accordance with the polluter pays principle. It would allow member states to have regard, inter alia, to the social, environmental and economic effects of the recovery. The current draft of Article 12 of the directive takes account of the view that it should be a matter for member states to determine charging policy in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity. I stated my intention at the June Council to continue to exempt domestic water services from water charges.
The polluter pays principle is enshrined in Article 34 of the Amsterdam Treaty which amends the terms of Article 130r of the Maastricht Treaty.
