Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 584: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the implementation of the water framework directive and the setting up of the river basin districts project; if he is satisfied with Ireland's progress in respect of all inland water bodies being of good ecological status by 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23838/07]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 585: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the analysis that has been carried out following the acceptance of the nitrate, phosphate and dangerous chemical directives and the implementation of the compromises in respect of these directives; his views on the consequent improvement in water quality of the implementation of these directives; if he will refer specifically to the loss of biodiversity in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23839/07]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 584 and 585 together.

Statutory responsibility for protection and improvement of water quality is assigned primarily to local authorities acting under the general supervision of the EPA.

Measures for the protection and improvement of water quality are being progressed on a systematic basis, particularly within the context of the Water Framework Directive. I expect that we will see significant improvements in the quality of our freshwaters and coastal waters over the coming years with consequent improvements in aquatic ecosystems and water-dependent terrestrial ecosystems. The recent EPA report "Water Quality in Ireland 2006: Key Indicators of the Aquatic Environment" indicates that, with the type of pollution occurring in Ireland, chiefly nutrient enrichment, there is a relatively short recovery time for aquatic ecosystems and thus the objective of good quality status for all water bodies should be achievable.

The Water Framework Directive generally provides that there must be no deterioration in the status of any waters and that all waters achieve at least "good status" by 2015. A comprehensive programme of activities is currently underway by my Department, the EPA, local authorities and other relevant bodies for full implementation of the Directive. This is being supported by river basin district projects, led by local authorities, together with a wide range of research and other projects funded under the National Development Plan. My Department has committed 100% funding amounting to some €63 million for most of these activities. INTERREG funding is also being applied in relation to cross-border projects. To date, all implementation deadlines set by the Directive have been achieved on time by Ireland.

In June 2007, an overview report was issued for each River Basin District outlining the significant water management issues that have been identified and the possible measures to be taken. These reports will assist the participation of interested parties in the process of developing, by June 2008, draft River Basin Management Plans which will set out the specific environmental objectives to be achieved during the first 6-year plan period (2009 -15) together with the programme of measures which will be required to deliver on these objectives. The River Basin Management Plans will be adopted by June 2009.

The achievement of improvements in water quality is, and will be, significantly supported by the ongoing investment under the Water Services Investment Programme and by implementation of the Nitrates Action Programme, which are key elements within the overall programme of measures under the Water Framework Directive. Some €2 billion has been invested since 2000 on the provision of new and upgraded waste water services under my Department's Water Services Investment Programme. Significant funding is also being provided by my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food under the Farm Waste Management Scheme to support investment by farmers to meet the requirements of the Nitrates Action Programme. Measures are also being developed to strengthen the protection of water quality against pollution from other sources. For example, Regulations were made in November 2006 and September 2007 in relation to the licensing of, respectively, aerial fertilization of forestry and discharges from local authority wastewater treatment plants.