Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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Question 830: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on the decline in river water quality due to eutrophication and pollution from chemical and raw sewage discharges; his plans to ensure that Ireland will meet the requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive by 2015; if he proposes to promote clean-up operations on rivers here to sustain Ireland's distinctive angling tourism product; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10891/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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According to the most recent EPA report on water quality, published in November 2008, there has been a slight improvement in the overall quality of river waters and the level of serious pollution continues to be low. Nutrient enrichment continues to be the biggest threat to water quality, primarily from agricultural and municipal sources.

Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive is being brought forward through River Basin Districts led by coordinating local authorities and funded by my Department. Draft management plans for each River Basin District were published by the relevant local authorities on 22 December 2008 and are subject to public consultation for a period of six months until 22 June 2009. These draft plans set out proposed programmes of measures with the aim of achieving the Water Framework Directive objectives and they are due to be finalised by December 2009.

The measures are intended to improve not only water quality but also aquatic ecosystems. Among the measures proposed to improve fish life in our rivers is the alteration or removal of artificial barriers currently impacting on fish migration.