Water Abstraction Regulation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 January 2019

Tuesday, 15 January 2019

Questions (1120)

Robert Troy

Question:

1120. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will reconsider plans to extract a large supply of water from Lough Ree at Killinure, Athlone, County Westmeath; the surveys that have been carried out to date to assess the effect this planned extraction will have on water levels in the area; if further surveys have been carried out to assess the long-term effects of this project on wildlife, boating and other water based activities in the area; and if consideration is being given to other possible sources for this supply of water. [1281/19]

Written answers

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government

I have no statutory role in this matter as proposals to abstract water for the purpose of public supply are a matter for Irish Water under the provisions of the Water Supplies Act 1942 and any required planning permission is a matter for the relevant local authority. Environmental and other considerations are taken into account as a normal part of the planning process.

However, my Department is currently developing new legislation governing the abstraction of water. In July 2018 the Government approved the General Scheme of the Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill, which will fulfil Ireland's obligations under the Water Framework Directive to establish a system of registration and control over the abstraction of water. Proposals in this regard were laid out in Ireland's River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021, which I published in April 2018.

The legislation is currently under preparation in my Department and it is intended that it will be enacted by the end of 2019.