Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 May 2018
244. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied); if an investigation into the matter will be initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24072/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has recently published Ireland's River Basin Management Plan 2018-2021 which is required under the EU Water Framework Directive. The Plan sets out the actions that Ireland will take to improve water quality and achieve ‘good’ ecological status in water bodies (rivers, lakes, estuaries coastal waters and ground waters) by 2021. The Plan is available at: www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-quality/river-basin-management-plans/river-basin-management-plan-2018-2021.
The Plan provides a coordinated framework for improving the quality of our waters, protecting public health, the environment, water amenities and sustaining water-intensive industries, including agri-food and tourism, particularly in rural Ireland. The Plan sets out national policies and additional regional measures which are implemented on a prioritised basis.
An enhanced evidence base has been developed to guide national policies and the targeting of priority measures. Technical assessments of 4,829 water bodies have been carried out, examining their status (quality) and whether they are ‘at risk’ of not meeting status objectives in the future. Informed by this work, a collaborative workshopping process involving the EPA, senior local authority personnel and all relevant stakeholders was set up to identify, at a regional level, those water bodies that should be prioritised for action during this planning cycle. Arising from this work, the Lough Sheelin catchment has been designated as a Prioritised Area for Action.
Under the governance structure for the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive, local authorities are the competent authority for the implementation of the programme of measures contained in Ireland's River Basin Management Plan. In particular, the Local Authority Waters and Communities Office (LAWCO) is working with local groups and communities to help them play their part in protecting their waters. As such, LAWCO is the most appropriate body through which the Deputy's concerns should be pursued. LAWCO can be contacted via the www.watersandcommunities.ie website, or by email to info@lawco.ie.
