Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

571. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has any concerns about the quantum of cost estimated by the European Commission for implementation of quaternary treatment of urban waste water in the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive; if he has concerns about the allocation of those costs to just two economic sectors, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics; his views on whether this allocation is fully compliant with the polluter pays principle; if he will join with the concerns expressed by 16 other Member States in relation to these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44508/24]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department has been actively engaging in the negotiation of the Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive since the Commission published its proposed recast Directive in Q4 2022, and the detailed discussions began in January 2023. Alongside the proposal, the Commission issued a detailed impact assessment.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) established an expert group in Q1 2023 to support the work on the proposed Directive. This group included representatives from the Department of Health and the Health Services Executive. Stakeholder input was also gathered from colleagues in the Department of Enterprise, Trade, and Employment while engagement with IBEC ensured that wider stakeholders' views were considered during the negotiation process.

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme is a significant component of the proposed recast Directive, which reflects the Polluter Pays Principle. According to the Commission’s impact assessment, pharmaceuticals and personal care products contribute the most significant proportion of harmful substances in wastewater. The EPR Scheme requires producers placing products on the Union market to take financial responsibility for at least 80% of the costs associated with additional treatment needed for micro-pollutants. However, smaller producers can be exempted from this responsibility if they demonstrate low use of certain substances or if those substances are biodegradable. The proposed Directive also includes provisions for future assessment of the EPR Scheme in December, 2033 and December, 2040.

Any implications of funding for Uisce Éireann will be determined when the approach to implementing the Directive in Ireland has been settled. Funding will be considered as part of the Uisce Éireann’s future Capital Investment Plan.

In the recent vote of Member States as part of the process of final adoption of the Directive on 23 October, 24 Member States voted in favour of the Directive. While 16 Member States issued statements on their voting position these consisted of a range of issues including some concerns but also supportive statements. Final adoption of the recast Directive is now expected to take place shortly at a meeting of the Council of Ministers.