Ms Sinead O'Brien:

I really appreciate the question about the water framework directive and how it links with habitats. The water framework directive requires us to take an integrated approach to water management, including looking at protected areas. This is where we would contest what the EPA maintains. While there is only 6% at national level, we need to look at each individual water body. Some of those sites are extremely sensitive. If we do not know whether they are being abstracted from, we do not know whether there is a significant impact. The Deputy's point is well made and well taken. The impacts on groundwater can also have impacts on wetlands and very sensitive habitats. I hand over to our expert Dr. Craven to make some points on that.