Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

518. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the estimated cost of bringing Ireland into line with the EU water framework directive standards; the timeframe for the meeting of these objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43162/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Water Framework Directive establishes a common framework for the protection of inland surface waters, transitional waters, coastal waters and groundwater. The overall aim of the Directive is to maintain high and good status waters where they exist and to restore waters that do not currently support aquatic ecosystems adequately. River basin management planning, structured in 6-year cycles, is the tool prescribed by the Directive for achieving these aims. In July 2010, the first cycle River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) for Ireland were published, covering the period up to 2015. The RBMPs describe the measures planned to protect and improve Ireland’s water environment covering rivers, lakes, groundwater, transitional (estuaries) and coastal waters.

My Department is currently conducting a public consultation in respect of the second cycle of River Basin Management planning in Ireland. In accordance with the requirements of the Directive, an economic analysis will be carried out to estimate the potential costs of implementing the second cycle in Ireland. This will allow for informed decision-making on the programme of measures to be undertaken in the second cycle to achieve the most cost-effective and best possible outcomes for the investment in measures.

I published in July 2014 a consultation document setting out the timeframe for the implementation of the second cycle and the consultation period remains open until 31 January 2015. In mid-2015, I intend to publish, and engage in consultation on, an interim overview of the significant water management issues in Ireland and this will provide context for the measures to be undertaken as part of the second cycle RBMPs. As outlined in the consultation document, it is likely that finalised second cycle RBMPs will be published by end-2017.