Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank my constituency colleague, Deputy Clarke, for raising this issue and providing me with an opportunity to give an overview of the current work being undertaken to address the quality of our waters.

Water quality in Ireland is facing complex pressures and increasing demands due to population change and a previously growing economy that we all hope will continue after we emerge for the current pandemic, as well as a changing climate. The EU Water Framework Directive establishes a common approach framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. The overall aim of the directive is to maintain high quality and good status waters where they exist and to restore waters that do not meet these criteria. River basin management planning, structured in six-year cycles, is the tool prescribed by the directive for achieving these aims.

In response, the Government set out a strategy for water quality in the river basin management plan for the years 2018 to 2021. This was supported, among other measures, by a new water quality resource in the local authorities' waters programme; the Irish Water Strategic Funding Plan 2019-2024; and A new capital investment for rural water services. The plan built on the lessons learned from the first planning cycle plan and improved upon the previous approach. The new local authority water programme is co-ordinating measures at local and regional levels. We also now have An Fóram Uisce. This is an assembly for civil society, community groups and water quality sector representatives, which gives them a voice in the guardianship of our natural waters and water services.

Our policy is to ensure we provide the right measure in the right place. It is clear that one-size-fits-all measures are not fully effective. Where the Environmental Protection Agency, EPA, identifies agriculture as a significant pressure, a free advisory service is now available to farmers in priority areas. Where urban wastewater is causing an impact, Irish Water is investing in improved services and infrastructure. The Government also improved the financial supports to help bring domestic septic tanks up to standard.

However, our rivers, lakes and estuaries are all complex, natural systems. An ongoing cycle of assessment and planning must continue in tandem with the implementation of measures to protect and improve water quality. In this regard, as one of the commitments in the programme for Government, we plan to launch a new revised and strengthened river basin management plan in 2022 to protect Ireland's water quality and ensure we have a well-protected environment and vibrant communities.

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