Mr. Fintan Towey:

I thank the Deputy for the question. This is the third cycle of planning under the water framework directive. Two cycles of planning have been implemented so far. Over that period, we have not seen the improvements in water quality that we would like or are envisaged in the very ambitious targets set out in the directive. We have a challenge in terms of how we make progress towards these targets. It is not correct to say that there has been no progress made under the first two plans. There have been interventions and measures that have worked and shown benefits, but those benefits and improvements have been offset by disimprovements in other parts of the country. Therefore, the overall outcome is not as good as we would like to see.

In the third plan, we are continuing to adopt and deepen a series of actions that we think will bring us on a journey towards the target. Being realistic, achieving the ultimate target within the timeframe of the third plan is challenging. I do not think we will get to the target that the water framework directive envisages. However, we are trying to strike a balance.