Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2002

Vol. 547 No. 1

Written Answers. - Water Quality.

John Bruton

Ceist:

734 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if the water quality data here is such as to require him under the 1991 EU regulations to designate vulnerable zones for water quality under the Nitrates Directive; if so, the data in question which has this effect; and when the draft regulations concerning the implementation of these directives will be put into effect. [1396/02]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

There is a need to bring forward regulations to provide a statutory basis for the application in all areas of established standards of good farming practice for environmental protection. These regulations will support good farming practice, give further effect to a number of EU directives on waste and water quality, including the Nitrates Directive, and generally strengthen and support other measures in place for protection of the environment. I envisage that the detailed provisions of the regulations will be developed over the coming months in consultation with the main farming organisations and other interested parties.

It would be possible in the context of these regulations for the livestock manure application limits specified in the Nitrates Directive to be applied in relation to all areas or to certain areas designated as vulnerable zones i.e. areas where waters are, or are likely to become, significantly affected by nitrates from agriculture. I have already briefed my Cabinet colleagues on the general position and I intend, following discussions with the main farming organisations and other interests, to report to Government within a few weeks with recommendations in this regard. These discussions are ongoing.

The proposed regulations will support implementation of a 1991 directive on waste which, as an alternative to licensing and in the case of certain activities, permits waste recovery or disposal in accordance with "general rules" by persons who are registered for the purpose, as well as implementation of the 2000 Water Framework Directive which requires that at least "good status" be achieved in relation to all waters by 2015 and that action programmes be established to achieve this objective.

The Nitrates Directive has the objectives of reducing water pollution induced by nitrates from agricultural sources and preventing further such pollution, with the primary emphasis being on the management of manures and other fertilisers. It requires member states to carry out monitoring of nitrate levels in waters, to establish a code of practice for farmers and develop and implement action programmes to reduce and prevent pollution of waters by nitrates.

The most recent comprehensive data on water quality are contained in the report "Water Quality in Ireland 1998-2000", published by the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, on 24 January 2002. The report includes data on the extent of eutrophication in surface waters and on the levels of nitrogen compounds in groundwaters and surface waters. I understand that a copy of the report will shortly be placed in the Oireachtas Library. This latter report is supported by a March 2001 assessment prepared by the EPA, at the request of my Department, in relation to the trophic status of estuaries and bays, which identified a total of 17 estuarine waterbodies as eutrophic or potentially eutrophic. This latter assessment is of particular significance in the context of implementation of the Nitrates Directive and provides a basis for designation of extensive areas in the east, south-east and south as vulnerable zones. Earlier, in May 2000, an expert panel recommended that certain groundwaters in five counties, Carlow, Cork, Kerry, Louth and Waterford, be identified as waters affected by pollution by nitrates from agricultural sources. I am arranging to have sent to the Deputy copies of the above mentioned EPA assessment and of the groundwater monitoring data available to the panel. An EPA report on the quality of drinking water in Ireland for the year 2000 became available in December 2001 and is available in the Oireachtas Library. This indicates a compliance rate of just over 99% with the prescribed standard for nitrates, 50 mg/l nitrates, but also that breaches of the standard were recorded in nine counties.