Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 251: To ask the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources if his attention has been drawn to the extent of saturation by nutrients of the unique marl soil bed of Lough Carra, County Mayo; the stage of implementation of the preservation and development plan for Lough Carra under the Committee of Western District Management Group; the resources open to the group in view of its unique and sensitive ecological balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18538/06]

John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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My colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has overall responsibility for Environmental Policy. I understand that Galway Co. Council is the lead local authority for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in the Western River Basin District (WRBD) where Lough Carra is located. A management group, steering group and advisory group have been put in place. The North Western Regional Fisheries Board is represented on the WRBD project steering group and the Western Regional Fisheries Board is represented on the management committee. The Fishery Boards as relevant public authorities, as defined in the European Communities (Water Policy) Regulations 23003, are active partners within the Western River Basin District group and are also involved in a number of projects.

The Western Regional Fisheries Board has advised me that the lake risk assessment summary places Lough Carra in category 1a, — that is, at significant risk. The characterisation report is available at www.wrbd.ie. I am advised that a draft lakes monitoring programme is due for publication on the 22nd June 2006. I understand that this will be comprehensive programme and is due to start in January 2007.