Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The water framework directive requires us to have a licensing and regulation system in place. That is a good thing because we can see from the documentation there is a lack of accuracy and knowledge in terms of how much water is currently being extracted. We have data from some local authorities but much of it is out of date and has not been followed up on. It surprises me to hear that only 6% of water bodies are under pressure, although, admittedly, that figure just relates to extraction. All our water bodies are currently under pressure, including groundwaters, lakes and rivers. Water quality is deteriorating, as is demonstrated year after year in EPA surveys. It is really important that we get an accurate figure for how much is being extracted before we can suggest that only 6% of water bodies are under pressure from extraction. The more water we draw off, the more environmental impact it will have.

When water is drawn from a source, it must go back through some sort of treatment. Much of the time, it is probably not treated before going back into the water body. Does the extraction also take account of the discharge of the water in whatever format it goes back into the water system? It is very important to have accurate measurement.

It is suggested in the legislation that we will use a model similar to that in usage in Scotland. A figure of 10 cu. m was set as the threshold for notifiable there, but the Bill proposes a figure of 25 cu. m. What is the rationale behind that? Our water supplies are under significant pressure. Why is a higher threshold proposed in that regard?

Head No. 5 states it is not necessary to measure extraction as it can be estimated. What are the difficulties with measuring extraction? I ask Mr. Ó Coigligh to give an example of an extraction that would be difficult to measure and for which estimation would be a better method.