In accordance with the Water Framework Directive, the deadlines for publication and reporting of river basin management plans were 22 December 2009 and 22 March 2010 respectively. The European Commission issued a Letter of Formal Notice to Ireland on 3 June 2010 for not meeting these deadlines.
At the date of receipt of the letter, the process of adoption of the plans was well advanced and has since been finalised. A response to the letter issued on 28 July 2010, confirming that plans for all 7 river basin districts were completed and published on 6 July.
As the obligation to publish and report the plans has now been met, I expect that the European Commission will close the infringement proceedings shortly.