Ciarán Cuffe
Question:483 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the extra legislation he envisages for the introduction of river basin management, as required in the Water Framework Directive. [3175/03]
Written Answers. - EU Directives.
Many of the requirements of the Water Framework Directive can be addressed in Ireland through existing primary legislation and regulations predating the directive. The more detailed legal requirements of it will be addressed through further regulations by December.
The primary legislative framework for the protection and improvement of water quality is provided by the Local Government (Water Pollution) Act 1977, amended and extended by the Local Government (Water Pollution) (Amendment) Act 1990. These Acts include a general prohibition on the polluting of waters, provisions concerning licensing of discharges to waters and to sewers, the establishment and application of water quality standards, the making of water quality management plans by local authorities, the making of nutrient management plans by farmers etc., the civil liability of polluters, the making of by-laws by local authorities to regulate agricultural activities and related matters. They also provide for the making of water quality management plans by two or more local authorities on an integrated basis, that is to include surface and ground waters, including estuarine and tidal waters, and this provides the basis for river basin district management plans. Some measures required in each river basin district may be provided through by-laws to be made by local authorities.
In addition, a number of the current functions of the EPA and other public authorities in relation to aspects of water management will also assist implementation of the directive.
A new water services Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation. In the context of consolidating and modernising the existing statutory framework for water services provision, the Bill will provide for improved management of national water services infrastructure through a strategic planing process which will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the framework directive. Specifically, the Bill will secure the transposition of the cost recovery requirements in respect of non domestic users of water services required by article 9 of the directive, although this will essentially involve a restatement of the existing statutory position.