Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 1450: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will give an update on any infringement proceedings initiated for failure to submit the river basin management plans on time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32107/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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In accordance with the Water Framework Directive, the deadlines for publication and reporting of river basin management plans were 22 December 2009 and 22 March 2010 respectively. The European Commission issued a Letter of Formal Notice to Ireland on 3 June 2010 for not meeting these deadlines.

At the date of receipt of the letter, the process of adoption of the plans was well advanced and has since been finalised. A response to the letter issued on 28 July 2010, confirming that plans for all 7 river basin districts were completed and published on 6 July.

As the obligation to publish and report the plans has now been met, I expect that the European Commission will close the infringement proceedings shortly.