Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The programme for Government refers to the establishment of the Cabinet committee on water quality in the context of the nitrates derogation and to evidence-based solutions to assist farmers to improve water quality. The Taoiseach stated the committee is due to meet shortly for the first time. I ask that the remit might extend beyond that issue and hope that it will.

There are many other issues that are just as important around the need to improve water quality on our coasts and in our inland waterways. Will the committee also consider the merits of the Dublin Bay Bill 2021 which I proposed in this House some years ago and which the former Minister, Deputy Darragh O'Brien did not oppose, on Second Stage. It would have created a new statutory agency for governance of Dublin Bay, which would have been a model for other coastal areas and would have ensured much greater governance of the issue of water quality, ensuring our coastal areas, including our bathing areas would become genuinely well maintained public amenities for all to use. I am conscious that many people at inland lakes and in coastal areas now engage in swimming all year round or in using the waterways of Ireland and our coasts for leisure activities. We need to ensure water quality is improved upon for all those users as well, of course, as for ensuring water quality is improved for farmers and all those who engage in agricultural sectors.

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