Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 November 2016
63. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if the Water Framework Directive places an obligation on the State to introduce a water abstraction licensing scheme; if so, when he plans to introduce it; the details of the scheme; and if large commercial businesses that extract large volumes of water will be included. [35436/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Water Framework Directive requires that abstractions of surface water or ground water which are likely to have a significant effect on water status must be regulated. My Department is currently examining how best to address this requirement in a proportionate and efficient way.
While no decisions will be made on any proposals in this regard until thorough public consultation is undertaken, I expect that a proportionate abstraction control regime can be developed that would effectively manage abstraction risks and pressures without imposing an unnecessary regulatory burden. Recognising the relatively low abstraction pressures in Ireland, the scale and extent of which will be set out in a draft River Basin Management Plan I expect to publish for public consultation in the coming months, it is expected that such a regime would focus on the most significant abstraction volumes and pressures, recognising that the Directive does not require the registration and licensing of private wells serving individual domestic dwellings.
