Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 312: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the discussions, if any, he has had with his counterpart in the Six Counties in relation to the creation of a public all-Ireland water distribution system (details supplied). [42564/10]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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There is ongoing co-operation between my Department and the Department of Environment in Northern Ireland and other relevant agencies in a wide range of areas related to the environment. Within the North South Ministerial Council, we have discussed matters mandated under the Good Friday Agreement such as waste, water quality, and environmental research and monitoring. Other important areas of co-operation, outside the remit of the Council, include biodiversity, spatial planning and housing.

Specifically, in the area of water services, the Water Framework Directive requires that, in cross-border river basin districts, Member States must coordinate their activities. On the island of Ireland, three of the eight river basin districts are cross-border districts and the authorities in both jurisdictions have worked closely together in the preparation of the river basin management plans. The primary means of co-ordination is through the North-South Water Framework Directive Coordination Group, comprised of representatives from the implementing authorities in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

The issue of an all-Ireland water distribution system has not been discussed. This does not, however, preclude local authorities in the border regions from co-operating with neighbouring councils in relation to water services.