James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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Question 51: To ask the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if he will undertake and fund a comprehensive survey and reclassification immediately of the potentially large clean aquifer in the area of the Nevitt, Lusk, County Dublin, in order to quantify and protect this potentially national water resource for the future needs of the extensive horticultural industry in the area and residential water supply going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22311/07]

Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Groundwater resources are assessed by the Geological Survey of Ireland, a division of my Department, through their aquifer classification and groundwater vulnerability mapping. Groundwater in Ireland is protected under European Community and national legislation, and local authorities and the Environmental Protection Agency are responsible for enforcing this legislation.

The Geological Survey of Ireland undertook a major review of aquifer classifications across Ireland in 2002-2004, as part of the Water Framework Directive. All available data were carefully examined to arrive at the current aquifer classifications using considerable experience, knowledge and assessment of many data nationally according to a clear set of criteria.

The area around Nevitt, Lusk, County Dublin was part of this study. The quality and extent of the data used to classify the aquifer which includes the Nevitt area significantly exceeded the minimum data requirements of the classification criteria.

The data were re-examined, together with additional well information provided by the Nevitt-Lusk Action Group, in October 2006. This reassessment confirmed the existing aquifer classification. On the basis of the information currently available, the aquifer classification remains "locally important bedrock aquifer which is generally moderately productive (Lm)". This information has been made available to the relevant local authority and all other interested parties. Any further re-examination of the aquifer which includes the Nevitt, Lusk, County Dublin area would not necessarily lead to a reclassification.