Dr. Eimear Cotter:

We have looked at the overall impact of the main pressures on water bodies throughout the country.

Agriculture, physical changes, wastewater and peat extraction also have an impact on our water bodies. Approximately 100 water bodies are experiencing peat extraction as a significant pressure. Therefore, anything that helps in terms of reducing the illegal extraction of peat and making sure that those peaty soils are drained or rewetted, or even that the water table is raised, is likely to bring benefits in terms of water quality, greenhouse gas emissions and air quality. Those positive impacts from an environmental perspective are well documented.