Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 293: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government when he intends to publish the final groundwater environmental objectives regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47902/09]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The purpose of the proposed Environmental Objectives (Groundwater) Regulations is to transpose the requirements of both the Water Framework Directive (in so far as groundwater is concerned) and the Groundwater Directive (and to provide for transitional arrangements from the existing Groundwater Directive). The Regulations will establish an improved regime for the protection of groundwater, by:

· establishing clear environmental objectives to be achieved in groundwater bodies within specified timeframes, and

· introducing the legal basis for a more flexible, proportionate and risk-based approach to implementing the legal obligation to prevent or limit inputs of pollutants into groundwater.

Work on the development of the regulations is well advanced and I expect to make them in early January.