Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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158. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether there should be full transparency in relation to the data on water abstraction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50296/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The European Union (Water Policy) (Abstractions Registration) Regulations 2018 provide for the establishment of a register of abstractions of water of more than 25 cubic metres per day. The register is maintained by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The 2018 Regulations provide that the EPA shall publish by electronic means, and in such abridged manner as it thinks fit, details of registered water abstractions. The EPA may share details entered onto the register, with the exception of personal details, as it considers necessary for the discharge of its statutory functions.

The EPA manages the register in the context of its broader statutory obligations under data protection legislation, including the Data Protection Acts 1988 to 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Individuals decisions in relation to the publication and sharing of data regarding water abstractions are a matter for the EPA.